Konnie Huq backs Virgin campaign for Yorkshire 'legends' to win £10,000 of tech

Unsung heroes of lockdown in Leeds and Bradford can be nominated to win a £10,000 technology package as part of a scheme backed by former Blue Peter presenter Konnie Huq.
Konnie Huq. Picture: Yui Mok/PA WireKonnie Huq. Picture: Yui Mok/PA Wire
Konnie Huq. Picture: Yui Mok/PA Wire

Virgin Media is on the hunt an individual, organisation or community group which has gone the extra mile during the pandemic and has made a huge difference to people’s lives.

The company wants to hear about "local legends" who have gone "above and beyond" to help others during the past few months.

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It is offering a "complete tech transformation": the winner will receive the company's Gig1 broadband for two years, as well as a "personalised technology makeover" worth £10,000 so they have the latest gadgets to make the most of their connectivity.

Huq, a member of Virgin Media’s judging panel, said: "We’ve all witnessed acts of heroism and kindness, and this competition gives everyone a chance to recognise and thank those people for all they’ve done.

"I can’t wait to see the entries - get your nominations in now.”

Jason Tutin, digital and learning development manager at Leeds Libraries, added: “We’re looking forward to reading some inspiring nominations that reflect the amazing acts of kindness and generosity from across Leeds over the last few months.

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"Our 100 per cent Digital Leeds programme has helped hundreds of organisations and thousands of people to be more digitally included. We know how important it is to be online and these prizes will make a real difference to whoever is chosen as our local legend."

Entries will be shortlisted and a specially selected judging panel including TV presenter and author Huq - the longest-serving woman presenter of Blue Peter - will be tasked with selecting the winner.

The winner could be a teacher or NHS worker who have stepped up to serve their community, a neighbour who has kept the street entertained with a weekly virtual quiz, a fundraiser who has made money for a worthy cause, a group which has rallied together to deliver food parcels for people who are shielding, or a moment of kindness that simply needs to be recognised.

As a result of Covid-19, four in ten people in Leeds (41 per cent) said there are heroes in their communities who deserve to be recognised for the role they have played during the pandemic, according to research conducted by Opinium.

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Two thirds (65 per cent) of the city’s residents say they have been inspired by those working on the front line, with doctors and nurses, supermarket workers and emergency service workers named as the people who have gone the extra mile during the pandemic.

The pandemic has also made people more altruistic, the research suggests, with more than a quarter (26 per cent) saying they have helped someone in their community, such as checking on a neighbour or offering to get someone shopping.

As a result, nearly a quarter (22 per cent) say they now feel more connected to their community and more than a third (36 per cent) of residents say that people have been kinder over the past few months.

Hugh Woolford, Regional Director for Yorkshire at Virgin Media, commented: “Our Gig1 Local Legends campaign is all about recognising any remarkable feat, whether big or small, that has occurred over the past few months in Leeds.

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"We are providing some incredible prizes, such as free gigabit broadband for two years, as well as some great tech appliances and gadgets worth thousands of pounds. We are welcoming entries so get nominating your Local Legend!”

The campaign has been launched in Leeds following the recent switch on of next-generation gigabit connectivity in the city, where people can now take Virgin Media’s Gig1 broadband offering average download speeds of 1,140Mbps, says the company.

People can nominate sombody by visiting www.virginmedia.com/locallegends and making a submission before the competition closes at 11.59pm on Monday September 21.