Voting Open for 2017 Soldiering On People’s Choice Award

Vote for most inspirational Soldiering On story with the Sunday Express

The Soldiering On Awards is pleased to announce that online voting is now open for the 2017 People’s Choice Award through media partner, the Sunday Express.

Five award nominees were selected as finalists by the Awards’ Independent Judging Panel co-chaired by General the Lord Dannatt GCB CBE MC DL and Debra Allcock Tyler CEO the Directory of Social Change. The winner will be announced at the 2017 Soldiering On Awards on Friday, 24 March in London.

Sunday Express editor Martin Townsend said: "We are proud to support this extremely worthwhile awards contest which highlights some of the extraordinary stories of bravery and resilience of many of our military personnel."

Members of the public are invited to read about the finalists and see their stories, by visiting the Sunday Express. Voting will opens on Sunday, 12 March 2017 and close at 11:59 p.m. on Saturday, 19 March 2017. The finalists are:

Alasdair Carnegie – nominated by BLESMA, The Limbless Veterans charity, Alasdair lost his left leg above knee as a result of injuries sustained in military service with the Royal Engineers as a Lieutenant from September 1953 until October 1963. He has spent his life raising awareness of issues that are faced by amputees in everyday life. His work with the various charities and groups has led to many improvements for both the Service and Ex-Service amputees as well as their civilian counterparts.

Chris Middleton – nominated by Deptherapy & Deptherapy Education charity, Chris was in an IED explosion nine days before his 21st birthday, resulting in the loss of both of his legs. Referred to the charity through a friend, Chris ended up enjoying scuba diving so much he challenged the team to help him become a PADI Open Water Diver. Since then he has qualified as a Rescue Diver and is working on becoming a PADI Instructor. Today Chris is the charity's main recruiter of veterans, inspiring many to qualify as scuba divers.

Combat Stress – nominated by employee Nicola Hudson, Combat Stress is the UK's leading veterans' mental health charity. It has been developing pioneering treatments for veterans living with mental health conditions for over 97 years. The charity delivers a wide range of regulated and clinically approved specialist healthcare and rehabilitation services for veterans, ensuring the military community can access the right support at the right time.

Nicky Murdoch – nominated by her colleagues at the Defence Medical Welfare Service (DMWS), Nicky has 'gone the extra mile' for the charity and the Armed Forces community, showing a determination to engage over and above her daily duties. Nicky uses her skills in defence medical welfare and change management to lead her team, ensuring structure and the tools to grow, diversify, and to be future fit. Through her efforts, Nicky has transformed operational delivery, aligning with the NHS following the closure of many military hospitals, and to a changing Armed Forces medical welfare environment.

Simon Brown – nominated by Blind Veterans UK, Simon had just successfully led a mission in Iraq to rescue six stranded colleagues when he was shot in the face by a sniper and had to be put into an induced coma, after initially giving himself first aid. Since his injury, Simon has dedicated himself to working with charitable and voluntary organisations and using his experience to motivate others. Thanks to his perseverance, good humour and positivity, many ex-Service men and women living with severe sight loss are receiving life-changing support today, no matter when they served or how they lost their sight.

The Soldiering On Through Life Trust encourages support for the UK’s Armed Forces Community by nationally recognising the achievements of groups or individuals supporting this Community through the annual Soldiering On Awards.

The Soldiering On Awards: National Recognition for the Armed Forces Community.

For highlights of the 2016 Soldiering On Awards visit: www.soldieringon.org