The singer was in the city encouraging people to nominate the ‘extraordinary and inspirational’ for the national awards
Leading the nominations for Birmingham was former soldier Michael Swain, who lost both legs after being blown up by a Taliban bomb in Afghanistan. He put forward the team at the Royal Centre for Defence Medicine, based at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital, who had nursed him back to health.
“They save lives and the whole team should be recognised for their work,” he said.
“I was in the centre for five and half weeks and you make friendships that will last for life.
“They really go out of their way for you, organising how to get you home or even just bringing you a Subway sandwich.”
Another nominee was hero ex-soldier Karl Hinett, who survived devastating burns when his tank was bombed in Iraq. The former Staffordshire Regiment recruit, from Tipton, was put forward by Rosie Thompson, communications officer for the hospital charity.
She said: “He’s a local hero but he deserves to be recognised nationally. He’s run 100 marathons and he’s going to running 4,500km back to Iraq to commemorate the 10 year anniversary of his injuries.”
Others nominated included skin cancer patient Rebecca Giddins, who is raising £10,000 for the hospital’s Fighting Skin Cancer Fund, and Clinton Slater, who has added more than £10,000 to the hospital’s Military Patient’s Fund.
Group Captain Ian Sargent, an orthopaedic surgeon who has been at the hospital since day one, was also put forward for his innovative surgical techniques.
Major Paul Ronnie, who nominated him, said: “There are people walking around, having children and getting married because of Clinton.”
Other nominees were; Flt Lt Liz Wright from the hospital’s A&E department for her “above and beyond” approach to patients, senior sister Louisa Murphy from the hospital’s trauma unit for ‘‘always having a smile on her face’’ and navy nurse Danielle Wagner ‘‘for putting patients first’’.
The whole team of Military Liaison Officers, who look after patients from the beginning to the end of their hospital care, were also nominated for the awards, which are organised by the Daily Mirror.
Sarah, 32, said: “It’s an amazing cause and something I have been supporting for a few years now.
“Me and the girls have been to the ceremony and it’s an extremely humbling experience. It restores your faith in humanity.”
Sarah had taken time out from working on her new solo album to travel the country on a specially branded National Express coach looking for unsung heroes.
And she revealed she would have a bit more time to relax on Saturday while watching England’s World Cup opener against Italy at a friend’s barbecue.
She added: “I’m not a massive football fan, I couldn’t even tell you the off side rule, but I always get excited for the World Cup.
“I’ll probably be with all the wives and end up talking all the way through.”