Matt Le Tissier pictured with Le Rondin pupil Cameron Perkins, 10. The school was named Flybe island education hero last year. Pictured in the background with Le Rondin pupils are Flybe’s Ian Taylor, left, chairman of the Association of Guernsey Charities David Farrimond and Guernsey Press managing director Mark Lewis, right. (Picture by Steve Sarre, 0901837)

A LOCAL football legend has been back on home turf to launch a campaign to find Guernsey’s unsung heroes.

Flybe ambassador Matt Le Tissier, who played for Southampton and England, is urging people to nominate themselves or others for one of three Flybe Island Heroes awards.

The bursary, run in association with the Guernsey Press, is open to anyone in the community involved in education, sport or charity.

The airline will give £7,000 to the winner of each category. That will be split into £3,000 cash and £4,000 in vouchers which can be used to fly anywhere in the Flybe network from Guernsey.

It is the second round of a three-year initiative launched by the airline.

For former winners Le Rondin School, the Health Information Exchange and young ballerina Teresina Stefani, goals were achieved and dreams came true.

‘It is incredible to see how this money has been spent. It really has changed lives,’ said Flybe marketing manager Ian Taylor.

He added that the company was delighted to be able to run the competition given the current economic climate.

‘At a time when so much community sponsorship has regrettably fallen by the wayside, we are thrilled to launch it again.

‘We can see what a difference it has made to so many islanders,’ he said.

Mr Le Tissier was one of the judges for the inaugural competition and said people should not be apprehensive about coming forward.

‘Winning this award can really act as a kickstart for an individual or group to achieve something really special.

‘People will see just what has been achieved by last year’s winners and exactly what they have done,’ he said.

Guernsey Press managing director Mark Lewis said the newspaper was delighted to be involved once again.

‘Following the success of the first Flybe Island Heroes in Guernsey, we were keen to get on board with the campaign once again.

‘As the island’s own community newspaper we are well aware of the huge amount of talent, commitment and hard work that goes on in local education, charity and sport.

‘We are pleased to be able to play a part in showcasing that and giving islanders the support and recognition they deserve.’

Chairman of the Association of Guernsey Charities David Farrimond said it was delighted Flybe had once again been able to offer the bursaries.

‘This support is vital at a time when charities are finding it more and more difficult to obtain funding to keep them going,’ he said.

• The closing date for nominations is Friday 5 February. Islanders can vote for their education, charity or sporting hero. The finalists will appear in the Guernsey Press from Monday 1 March to Wednesday 3 March. Islanders will then have an opportunity to vote for their hero by filling out the voting form printed in the newspaper. Applications of no more than 250 words should be sent as typed copy, including the nominator’s name, address and daytime telephone number, to Flybe Island Heroes, Guernsey Press and Star, PO Box 57, Braye Road, Vale, Guernsey, GY1 3BW.
  Deadline for the voting will be Friday 19 March.