Finalists have been announced for the People of the Year Awards in Derry. The ceremony takes place at The Everglades Hotel on Thursday, May 21. Micky Doherty hosts the gala dinner and event. Tickets are available online.

The awards cover 14 categories. Sponsors include Derry City & Strabane District Council for Lifetime Achievement Award, Gravity Architects for Businessperson of the Year, Alchemy for Arts/Culture Icon Award, Specsavers for Carer of the Year, Ulster University for Inspirational Educator of the Year, City of Derry Airport for Inspirational Young Person of the Year, and Bet McLean for Sportsperson of the Year and as headline sponsor.

Other categories are Sports Volunteer of the Year, Volunteer of the Year, Charity Worker of the Year, Community Champion Award, Fundraiser of the Year, Outstanding Bravery Award, and Spirit of Inishowen Award. Winners of Lifetime Achievement, Ambassador of the Year, Carer of the Year, and Charity Worker of the Year will be revealed at the event.

An independent judging panel from the local community selected the finalists. For Inspirational Educator of the Year, they are Edel McLaughlin and Paula McDaid, Finneen Bradley, Karen McAvoy, Joan Keaveney, and Órlaigh Sally.

Volunteer of the Year finalists include Hannah Duddy, Linda Heaney, and Rebecca Keys. Sports Volunteer of the Year nominees are Callum Warren, Isobel McNulty, Roisin Beasley, and Shaun Condren.

Community Champion finalists are Arlene Henry, Brian Dougherty, Cassie Jane, Jimbo McCallion, Kevin Curran, Marty Hagan, Pamela Capriglione, and St Cecilia's College Senior Leadership Team. Fundraiser of the Year nominees are Annette Harkin and Rebecca Keys.

Inspirational Young Person of the Year finalists consist of Alicia Nash, Banaz Ali, Dáibhin McConnell-Mailey, Rebecca Lewis, and Rose-Marie Murray. Outstanding Bravery Award nominees are Dáibhin McConnell-Mailey, Darren Leonard and Patrick Donaghey, and Stephen Stewart.

Sportsperson of the Year finalists are Banaz Ali, Conal McBrearty, Joshua Carins, and Millie Sandy. Arts/Culture Icon nominees include Donall Henderson, Inish Theatre Group, MakeyUppers, and Victoria Harrison.

Spirit of Inishowen finalists are Buncrana’s Children’s Charity, Inish Theatre Group, and Neil Doherty. Businessperson of the Year nominees are Margaret Doherty and Co, and Sandra Agoha.