TONIGHT is the night we celebrate those who go above and beyond to help us when we need it most.

Novotel Southampton hosts the annual Hospital Heroes Awards, which highlight all the great work done at Southampton General and Princess Anne hospitals among other city services.

The Daily Echo has teamed up with University Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation Trust to once again present our award for the unsung hero whose efforts may go below the radar but are just as important.

We asked our readers to get in touch with us to tell us about the amazing professionals and volunteers they know who make a difference and we were overwhelmed by the response.

Now we’ve whittled down those nominees to a final seven – who include a long-time volunteer, a nurse who was a “best friend” to a patient in their time of need and a pair of furry friends who bring a smile to an entire ward.

Here are this year’s nominees: Max and Lady Poppy – therapy dogs brought to the hospital three times a week by owner Mike Thorpe to provide companionship on wards and nominated by more than 10 patients and staff.

  •  Matthew Hayes – Urology surgeon nominated by patient Victoria Millet for “never failing to sort out a problem” for her no matter how difficult”.
  •  Professor John Morgan – a cardiac surgeon who is a “world leader in managing heart problems”, nominated by Patrick Malone.
  • Sue Dean – an advanced nurse practitioner, nominated by Stephen Beal, who “always treats patients like a friend”.
  • Lisa Butler – endoscopy sister nominated by Sally Judd for being “a helping hand and shoulder to cry on all rolled into one”.
  • Iva Ivanova – a nurse practitioner who was a “best friend” to patient Gill Watkin when she was terrified of having an operation following a previously unsuccessful procedure.
  • Gertie Broom – a 92-year-old volunteer nominated by her daughter Lorraine and colleagues at the Princess Anne Hospital for never making a mistake in 30 years.

The winner, chosen by a Daily Echo panel, will receive £100 and the runner-up £50.

They will be announced alongside a host of other winners in categories including Employee of the Year and Team of the Year – both voted for by the public.

The ceremony kicks off at 5pm tonight.

The 2013/14 winner was Gemma Pearson, a nurse on Bramshaw ward at Princess Anne Hospital, who was nominated by one of her patients, Caroline Atrill.

Gemma supported Caro-line through her treatment after having a cyst removed and also inspired her to change careers and go into the care profession.