Rugby star Donncha O’Callaghan and RTÉ presenter Diana Bunici today called out to the Irish public for their last chance to nominate deserving heroes for this year’s People of the Year Awards.  The final closing date for submitting nominations is Friday June 14^th, 2013. The Awards, which are organised by Rehab, will be broadcast live on RTÉ One on Saturday, September 14^th.

Donncha and Diana were joined by Jack aged 8, Eabha aged 9 and Nessa aged 7 in the search to celebrate Ireland’s heroes, those everyday people among us in our communities who deserve to be recognised and honoured. From the top of Dublin’s Marker Hotel, they ‘called out’ across the city, and country, for everyone to nominate that one deserving person in their life to be honoured at the 2013 awards. 

The People of the Year Awards give the Irish public an opportunity to pay tribute to individuals and groups who have made a real and valuable contribution to our society. Each year, the public are asked to nominate people who have enhanced the quality of life in Ireland, someone whose success has inspired a generation, someone who has made an extraordinary contribution to their community or someone whose courage or acts of bravery has changed our society for the better.

The event is also a highlight of the Irish social calendar, attended by a host of stars and celebrated public figures.

Calling on people to nominate the heroes around them, Rugby star Donncha O’Callaghan said: “The People of the Year Awards is a fantastic celebration of Ireland’s every day, ordinary heroes. I presented an award in 2012 and was honoured to share the occasion with so many deserving winners. The stories on display that night were really moving. The closing date is fast approaching so I’m giving a shout out to people to get thinking and nominate today at www.peopleoftheyear.com as this is your last chance to nominate before the 14^th!’’

Diana Bunici of RTÉ’s Elev8 joined Donncha for the final call: "I’m both honoured and thrilled to be asked to support the People of the Year Awards; it’s such a momentous occasion of celebration for Ireland. The people who win each year are a fine example to all of us, to be the best we can be to our family, friends and communities. I would encourage everyone to nominate their heroes so our country can celebrate them together!"

The winners of the People of the Year Awards are nominated by members of the public and finalised by a panel of adjudicators. Categories include International Person of the Year, Community Group of the Year, and Young Person of the Year, with other Awards presented for achievements in the areas of arts and culture, sport, and lifelong achievement. Each year a special category is included in the awards and the search is on for nominations for the Dad of the Year for 2013. 

In addition to many previously unknown and unsung heroes recognised, among the more well-known award winners in recent years have been: Katie Taylor, the Irish Cricket Team, Rory McIlroy, Graeme McDowell, Brian O’Driscoll, David Kelly, Keith Duffy, Nuala O’Loan, Padraig Harrington, Christy Moore, Tommy Tiernan, Sir Bob Geldof, Sir Terry Wogan, Maeve Binchy, Dr Mo Mowlam, Ronan Keating, Senator George Mitchell, Mary Robinson, Veronica Guerin, and Sonia O’Sullivan. 

In addition to nominating online at www.peopleoftheyear.com, people can also email their nominations to peopleoftheyear@rehab.ie, or write to the People of the Year Awards Office, Rehab, Roslyn Park, Sandymount, Dublin 4. This year, for the first time, people can also make their nominations at www.facebook.com/rehab25. For more information call the People of the Year team on 01 2057260.