The university will sponsor the Emergency Services of the Year category at the event. A virtual ceremony will take place at the end of March hosted by TV medic Dr Hilary Jones. It will hail NHS staff, shop workers, volunteers and young people a year after the pandemic began. The awards will also recognise everyday heroes and our emergency services, as well as those working in business, education and hospitality. Prof George E Holmes, university vice chancellor, said: “The past year has been unlike any other in living memory and has been extremely difficult for so many people. The thing that sticks with me is the incredible work done by people from all walks of life to care for others.