Former hostage Terry Waite will present this year’s Achievement over Adversity awards for the Brentwood Gazette.

The awards recognise adults and children who have had to face major difficulties in their lives – such as illness, disability or any major obstacle.

Terry Waite, formerly the Special Envoy of the Archbishop of Canterbury, was held captive for five years after he tried to negotiate with terrorists for the release of other western hostages.

The awards were launched in 1994 by the Gazette series of newspapers and local woman Susie Cornell, who won recognition for her own campaigning health work and her personal battle with multiple sclerosis.

Ms Cornell told Gazette readers: “Terry Waite is a man of incredible courage and his presence at the ceremony will make our millennium year awards particularly special.”

Readers of the Gazette, and its sister paper the Essex Chronicle, can make nominations for the awards scheme. Winners get trophies, certificates and a cash prize.

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