24 people shortlisted for this year's Spirit of Hong Kong Awards

Twenty-four nominees have been shortlisted for this year's Spirit of Hong Kong Awards organised by the South China Morning Post. The awards celebrate remarkable achievements in seven categories.

During the next three weeks, the Post will run stories about the nominees' endeavours - be they scientific inventions that benefit the community, triumphs over adversity, heritage conservation or decades working as community caregivers.

"Hong Kong has so many contributors to society from a variety of backgrounds," said Post editor-in-chief Wang Xiangwei. "In this year's Spirit of Hong Kong Awards we've asked eight non-governmental organisations to put forward their candidates to show that variety. We have, for example, young scientists who have Hong Kong's entrepreneurial spirit, for sure, but have created devices such as solar cookers and wildfire detection robots that serve the community and save lives.

"There are the doctors who tirelessly serve to improve the health of those in disaster areas or war zones; those who have triumphed over adversity despite combating debilitating diseases; and firms [that] have shown they are community givers. I look forward to reading their stories as we launch this year's awards."

An award will be presented in each of the seven categories, plus a people's choice award, in which readers can vote for their favourite nominee starting on September 15. Results will be announced in mid-October.