Some of Britain's best known celebrities are supporting a national search to find unsung heroes who have saved the life of another - perhaps even risking their own in the process.  

The celebrities are inviting entries for the 2005 Vodafone Life Savers Awards - which honour Britain’s most inspiring rescue stories. And anyone who reaches the final 10 will be going to Downing Street to be personally congratulated by newly elected Prime Minister Tony Blair.

Amongst the stars supporting the awards are Claire Sweeney, Martin Kemp, Jane Asher, Nell McAndrew plus This Morning presenters Fern Britton and Philip Schofield.

Model Nell McAndrew said: 'It always inspires me how people - in the most desperate situations - dig down deep to find unbeknown reserves of courage and strength."

Claire Sweeney added: 'The news today is all too often swamped with images of violence, pain and disease. The remarkable men and women honoured by these Awards shine out - and we all benefit from their reflected light."

Chair of the Life Saving Awards Judging Panel Simon Weston, whose own life was saved in the Falklands War said: 'These Awards are a unique celebration of human compassion and achievement.

We are looking for people who had a split-second choice when someone's life was in danger - do something, or do nothing.  If anyone knows a person locally - either a member of the public or someone working within the emergency services whose actions helped save a life in the last two years - we want to hear from them."

Vodafone UK spokesperson Ally Stevens said: 'Vodafone is proud to be associated with these unique awards, which recognise the vital role mobile phones now play in an emergency when minutes matter.

'It also provides a special opportunity for Britain to pay tribute to so many unsung heroes."

Last year's winners included North Sea oil worker Bruce Hosie who defied experts by lifting the weight of a car with his bare hands to rescue a trapped child and Corporal Darren Swift who single-handedly rescued an injured climber from the summit of Mount Everest.

The top 10 Life Savers will attend a star-studded celebration at London’s Savoy hotel, where they will receive their awards before a 300-strong audience.

If you have first-hand experience of a life or death situation, where someone's actions saved the life of another, then contact the organisers' office on 0870 902 3333.  Entries must be received by Friday, June 17.

If your nomination is chosen by the judges, Vodafone UK will invite you and a partner to an expenses-paid trip to London as VIP guests to share in the glittering celebrations and meet the celebrities.

If you know or would like to nominate anyone for a national Life Savers Award, visit www.vodafone.co.uk/lifesavers, or contact the organisers on :  0870 902 3333.


NOTE TO EDITORS:
Vodafone UK
Vodafone UK has 15.2 million customers and is part of the world's largest mobile community offering a wide range of voice and data communications. On the 1st January 1985, the first mobile phone call was made by Ernie Wise on the Vodafone network. Since then, Vodafone was the first to introduce SMS in 1994 and to make a 3G voice call in July 2001. Vodafone UK was the world’s first mobile operator to introduce international roaming, now connecting customers with standard roaming agreements in 174 countries, GPRS roaming in 53 countries and 250 cities worldwide using 3G.

Following the launch of Vodafone UK’s 3G/GPRS Mobile Connect data card in April 2004, the company launched Vodafone live! with 3G in November 2004 offering services such as video-calling and music downloads. Vodafone's 3G UK population coverage currently stands at 65 per cent and the network is being continually expanded.

In May 2004, the Newbury-based company was ranked top for customer satisfaction in the UK's contract mobile phone sector in a survey by JD Power and Associates.

BE 'ICE' AWARE

VODAFONE LAUNCHES NATIONAL AWARENESS CAMPAIGN -

In Case Of Emergency

To coincide with the Life Savers Awards 2005, Vodafone is launching a national campaign urging everyone in Britain to store next of kin details in their mobile phones.

By entering the letters ICE - 'In Case of Emergency' - into the mobile's phone book, users can log the name and number of someone who should be contacted in an emergency.

The idea follows research that shows a staggering eight out of 10 of us fail to carry any details of who we would like telephoned following a serious accident.

Vodafone spokesperson, Ally Stevens, said: 'The Life Savers Awards already demonstrate, through practical example, the important role a mobile phone can play when minutes matter in an emergency.

'By adopting the ICE advice, your mobile will now also help the rescue services quickly contact a friend or relative - which could be vital in a life or death situation."

Vodafone is now inviting all emergency services to promote ICE in their area as part of a national awareness campaign to highlight the importance of carrying next of kin details at all times.

HOW TO ACTIVATE ICE

Simply go to 'Contacts', select 'Add New Contact', enter the letters 'ICE' under the name followed by the telephone number of your next of kin (ensure both daytime and evening numbers are included if possible).