Spirit of Hong Kong Awards return to honour city’s inspirational, unsung heroes and groups
- Annual awards celebrate the achievements of some remarkable people, who might otherwise not come to the public’s attention
- Over the next few weeks, the Post will feature stories about these community achievers
Over the next few weeks, the South China Morning Post will feature stories about these community achievers, including a visually impaired triathlete, a 22-year-old endeavouring to uplift the asylum seeker and refugee community, and a social worker who has introduced theatre arts to the intellectually disabled.
The awards, co-organised by the Post and property developer Sino Group, celebrate the achievements of these remarkable people, who might otherwise not come to the public’s attention.
She noted that there was something very special about the unsung heroes – their ability not to feel defeated and to bounce back.
Teens who created English lessons win first Spirit of Hong Kong youth award
“It is resilience that defines Hong Kong and the unsung heroes embody the true spirit of Hong Kong,” she said. “It is in times of great stress that I turn to the stories of our unsung heroes for courage, strength and inspiration.”
The chairwoman said the collective psyche had been so severely challenged by the events of the past year that she questioned daily what her values were, how they were going to change and what life would become.
“I greatly admire the unsung heroes in the past years and I look to the unsung heroes of 2020 to rekindle in everyone the spirit of Hong Kong,” she said.
“It is when our own light flickers dangerously that we need to recognise the spark provided by our unsung heroes.”
Spirit Awards honour extraordinary deeds and difference makers
Echoing her views, fellow judge Ronald Arculli, former chairman of Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing, said the community was facing an extremely challenging environment on multiple fronts.
“Our health, economy and the unrest,” he asserted. “Never have we needed our unsung heroes than now!”
An award will be given in each of the six categories: community, perseverance, culture, innovation, youth and teamwork.
Readers will get a chance to vote for their favourite nominee in the Lion Rock People’s Choice Award category from September 1 to 27. Winners will be announced in November.
