Charity/voluntary

UNSUNG heroes from Harefield are invited into the spotlight as the Gazette and Uxbridge College seek people who have made their mark in the community.

If you know anyone who deserves credit for what they have done in your area - or anywhere in the borough - put them forward now. Entry is open to all people who live, volunteer, or work here.

Hillingdon's top hero will win £750 on top of the £250 which all category winners receive.

All you have to do is complete a coupon in The Gazette or Leader and return it to: Barbara Fisher, Local Heroes, Gazette, 28 Bakers Road, Uxbridge, UB8 1RG. Alternatively email barbarafisher@trinitysouth.co.uk Entries must be received by January 23 and shortlisted candidates will be invited to a gala night on February 26.

For more information: phone Barbara Fisher on 01895 451020 Monday-Wednesday only.

Choose from these categories:

• *

Community Hero-someone who has helped the community, perhaps with a
project or campaign.

• *

Fundraising Hero- any individual or group which has raised money for
charity.

• *

Young Hero- a youngster aged 16 or under who deserves recognition in the
community.

• *

Citizen of Courage-someone who has shown bravery in a difficult situation
or achieved a goal against the odds.

• *

Carer Hero -anyone who has selflessly looked after others.

The overall title Hero of Hillingdon will be chosen from any of the above
category winners.

If you are e-mailing do not forget to name the category and give contact
details for both nominee and the person who is nominating.

A CHRISTMAS Fair on Sunday, November 30 celebrates the anniversary of the slogan
'A dog is for life, not just for Christmas'.

The Dogs Trust in Harvil Road, Harefield, which created the slogan, will host start the
Christmas festivities from 11am - 4pm.

Television actress Lesley Joseph will be add her very own Christmas cheer to the event from 2pm after presenting her BBC London Radio show.

Ms Joseph is a great supporter of Dogs Trust Harefield, and has recently starred in The Celebrity Underdog Show and Celebrity Cash in the Attic.

The actress is happy to sign autographs, and will be joining in the fun and presenting the lucky raffle winners with their prizes.

A wide variety of stalls are planned to suit all tastes including: Santa Paws and his Rein-Dogs; a doggy deli selling doggy Christmas cookies and cakes; Doggy gift and craft stall; Hillingdon's Christmas Choir and Brass Quintet; and face painting for children in the Kids Fun Zone.

All the money raised from the event will help Dogs Trust continue its vital work, caring for hundreds of stray and abandoned dogs.

For further information on Dogs Trust call 020 7837 0006 or visit www.dogs
trust.org.uk

THE VILLAGE is doing its bit again for Macmillan Nurses at a coffee morning on September 29.

Tea, coffee and cakes will be on sale in St Mary's Church Hall and there will be a raffle and stall where produce can be bought,

Doors open at 10am and the fundraiser ends at 12.20pm. All support is welcome.

SIGN UP now for the first-ever sponsored walk organised by the Dogs'Trust in Harvil Road, Harefield.

Staff and supporters are raising money for stray and abandoned dogs,on Sunday October 5,in a three mile route starting at Black Park in Wexham.

The trot, with or without dogs, begins at 10.30am in the car park and everyone who finishes the walk will get a certificate.

For more information or to request sponsorship forms,call Charlotte Peters on 01895 453 951,or email charlotte.peters@dogstrust.org.uk.

ANYONE who has a couple of hours to spare each week(or even once a fortnight) would be welcomed with open arms at Harefield Hospital.

Voluntary help is needed by The League of Friends who run the cafe, so if you fancy serving tea, coffee and snacks to visitors, do get in touch.

The shifts at the hospital cafe in Hill End Road, are 10am-1pm, 1-3.30pm and 3.30-5.30pm.

Ring Lynn on 01895 828678 or Ivy on 01895 823005 for more information.

Scenes of Harefield are wanted for the village's 2009 calendar.

The 10th Harefield calendar will use photographs taken by local people, with profits going to local organisations.

Previous groups which have benefited are Harefield Rainbows, youth football in the village, the gardens in Sanctuary Close and Harefield Judo Club.

The calendars will be on sale at the start of November.

Call Gordon Isaacs on 01895 825501 or Rowena Scott on 01895 822986 for more details.

By Barbara Fisher
Fourteen new almshouses have been officially opened thanks to a shoemaker who bequeathed land to the people of Harefield more than three centuries ago.