An appeal has been launched for the names of individuals who have been responsible in acts of life saving or bravery.

The Bermuda Bravery Award Association has placed advertisements in the last three issues of The Royal Gazette asking the people of Bermuda for suggestions on who they should bestow their awards at their annual ceremony at Government House in October.

Association member Mark Selley explained that people eligible for the award would be those "who have, at personal risk to themselves, saved a life or endeavoured to save a life''.

He added: "It doesn't matter whether you are a Policeman, a health care worker, or just a civilian. If you have committed an act of bravery then you're eligible for the award.'' Mr. Selley said those nominated were taken note of and a committee, consisting of 12 people "from a wide cross-section of Bermuda'' would discuss who they thought the awards should go to.

At the annual presentation ceremony at Government House those chosen will receive a citation with a brief description of the act of bravery inside a frame of Bermuda Cedar.

"If it's at all possible,'' Mr. Selley said, "we try and reunite the rescuer with the person they rescued. It's usually quite an emotional experience.'' According to Mr. Selley, the average amount of people receiving the award per year is around 12.

However, one year the list of award recipients was 23 strong.

Started in 1976, the Association has been presenting awards for valour ever since.

Mr. Selley said he became involved in 1996 because "before that the Association was floundering due to being run solely by the very busy Police''.

"We started a new executive five years ago by organising a committee to single out those who deserved recognition for bravery,'' he explained.

Giving his personal reasons for getting involved, Mr. Selley said: "I just hated to see such a worthwhile cause go to waste. Bermuda is becoming so much faster these days, everyone is rushing about. I wanted to make sure that people who slowed down to help someone else were recognised.'' Mr. Selley also attributed his participation to a stroke that he suffered in 1991, paralysing the left side of his body.

He said the Bermuda Bravery Award was not something that could be given to someone who saved someone's life just by calling an ambulance.

"It is a special award, something which is given to those who put themselves at risk in order to help someone else,'' he said.

Mr. Selley added that the committee usually tried to steer clear of criminal incidents.

He said: "The Commissioner of Police would normally handle cases of that nature.'' That is not to say there are not exceptions though.

Mr. Selley noted that someone had won the award by showing bravery during the armed robbery of Lindo's Market in July 1997.

"On that occasion,'' he said, "the man, who was a civilian, not only was shot but he chased the robber when he tried to get away. He received a Bravery Award and a reward from the Police.'' For those who wish to nominate people for the award, proposal forms are available at Police stations and post offices all over the Island.

Alternatively, the public can get in touch with Mr. Selley on 236-0037 or Ch.

Insp. Phil Every on 299-4266.

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