HEARING specialist Amplifon is calling on the people of Stroud to help find ‘The Best Of British’ in memory of its founder and Second World War hero Charles Holland.

The Charles Holland Awards for Brave Britons will celebrate truly remarkable people who are an example to the nation.

And Amplifon are keen to receive nominations from residents in Stroud.

Christopher Sutcliffe, from Amplifon’s Gloucester branch, said: “These awards celebrate the unsung heroes in our communities – those truly remarkable people who are an inspiration to us all.

“If you know someone who deserves to be recognised for their bravery or selflessness then we want to hear their story.”

Nominations can be made in four categories: Outstanding Military Bravery; Against all the Odds; Community Champion; and Hearing Pet.

The winners will be announced at a ceremony at the Churchill War Rooms in London on August 24.

A panel of judges will also choose an overall Hero from the category winners who will win a trip to Italy.

The closing date for entries is Monday, August 1, and nominations can be made via the Amplifon website www.amplifon.com

Major Charles Holland was decorated by both the British and the American military for his bravery behind enemy lines during the Second World War.

As part of the Special Operations Executive (SOE) between 1943 and 1945, Charles Holland courageously took part in espionage, sabotage and reconnaissance missions in occupied Europe, working alongside local resistance groups.

He was later commissioned into the Royal Corps of Signals and was attached to an elite American-Canadian unit known as the Devil’s Brigade under the command of the US 5th Army, whose heroic deeds were dramatised in a 1968 film ‘The Devil’s Brigade’.

Charles Holland was awarded the MBE and the Military Cross - the third highest British decoration for bravery – for his remarkable acts of courage, and he was also awarded the Bronze Star by the United States Government.

After the war the veteran became passionate about providing better hearing for people affected by the conflict so he launched Amplifon in 1950, which has since become a worldwide company specialising in providing best in class hearing solutions and devices.

To honour his valiant actions, The Charles Holland Awards for Brave Britons will celebrate the achievements of exceptional people from all walks of life, of all ages and from all over the United Kingdom.

The awards will recognise members of the public and existing and ex-military personnel who have shown - like Charles Holland – remarkable acts of courage, bravery and incredible selflessness, showing them to be ‘The Best Of British’.

Charles Holland’s daughter, Ms Susan Holland, said: “As a family we have always been so proud of the bravery and courage shown by my father during the Second World War and The Charles Holland Awards for Brave Britons are a touching tribute to his heroism.”

“Now we would like other families to feel the same sense of pride in either their own family members, friends or pets who they can nominate to win one of the four awards.”

“We are sure these awards will shine a light on lots of people who, by their remarkable courage, are an inspiration to others.”