Judy Murray (left), a finalist in Barbados' 2005 Unsung Heroes Programme,with (from second left) Gracie Elias, local co-ordinator, Oliver Jordan, managing director of FirstCaribbean International Bank (Barbados), Rae Skinner, head of corporate banking, and Ian Walcott, selection panel chairman.

by TRACY MOORE

FIRSTCARIBBEAN BANK is seeking national, and ultimately regional unsung heroes for its 2006 programme.

Managing director of FirstCaribbean International Bank (Barbados), Oliver Jordan, made the announcement at a Press briefing on Thursday at the bank's Rendezvous branch in Christ Church.

"We remain committed to honouring our own. The 2006 Unsung Heroes Programme should again seek out and acknowledge those persons in our communities who go about their community work without consideration for reward or acclaim... the work and example of these unsung heroes give us pride in the present, hope for the future and, most importantly, they are living examples of the best that we can be," he said.

Jordan described last year as "a landmark year" for the programme since its inception in 2003.

"There were 211 submissions from across the region, which bears testimony to the fact that our programme's agenda has landed within the Caribbean communities. We have more than quadrupled the number of entries received for 2004.

"We believe it has cemented itself as a primary community recognition programme throughout the region," he said.

Gracie Elias, manager, Barbados Strategic Business Unit (Barbados, East Caribbean Islands and Belize), added that nominees should not be "politicians or popular social figures looking for a cause on which to hitch their PR fortunes".

"We are looking for ordinary people looking for genuine ways to contribute their efforts towards improving the social surroundings for all of us. These can be champions for large or small causes," she said.

The programme is in all 17 countries in which FirstCaribbean operates. The national finalist will receive US$5 000 and the regional finalist US$7 500 towards their charity cause.

Nomination forms are available at any FirstCaribbean branch, or on-line up to July 28, 2006. Winners will be announced in October.