It was mid-February when Mo Mowlam and Sir Richard Branson sat hunched over a mountain of papers with the other judges - ITN broadcaster Sir Trevor McDonald, Spice Girl Victoria Beckham, George Medal winner Lisa Potts and Mirror agony aunt Dr Miriam Stoppard. All of them agreed they had been set mission impossible.
The illustrious group debated for hours around a massive oak table at Sir Richard's West London home. They discussed the merits of those short-listed from the thousands of extraordinary people, nominated by Mirror readers and viewers of ITV's This Morning show for their achievements.
Many police forces around the UK had also put candidates forward. So had fire and ambulance services, voluntary organisations and charities.
The criteria for the Awards was simple - the winners should be people who had done something that was an inspiration to us all.
Former Northern Ireland Secretary Mo admitted, "It was a tough challenge. But it just goes to show how many people there are in Britain of whom we can be proud. I was both moved and inspired - the quality of all the nominees was inspirational."
Both Spice Girl Victoria and former nursery teacher Lisa were touched by the bravery shown by children, and the whole panel agreed this was the hardest category to judge. Victoria said: "Every child who has been nominated is a winner to me."
Veteran newsreader Sir Trevor shook his head in disbelief as tales of heroism were retold and debated. "Just going through the standard of the nominees is a humbling experience," he said. "These are ordinary people who have coped with an extraordinary set of circumstances. It's a privilege to be part of a panel which will finally give them the recognition they richly deserve."
Our panel, chaired by The Mirror's editor Piers Morgan, heard emotional stories of heartbreak and injury. Every nominee proved an inspiration by overcoming huge odds or obstacles.
For Lisa, It brought back memories of the day she came face-to-face with a machete-wielding maniac at her nursery in Wolverhampton four years ago. As she heard how an off-duty policeman tackled a man armed with a samurai sword in November, she said, "I'm probably biased, but I know what he's been through. I've found every story uplifting."
There was more soul-searching over the Teacher of the Year, the Good Neighbour Award and the International Award. Right across the categories, tales of have-a-go heroes, Ilfeboatmen, policemen and doctors going beyond the call of duty presented the panel with a major challenge. From the Gurkha soldiers who were killed clearing cluster bombs in Kosovo to Britain's first man in space, the list seemed endless.
Dr Stoppard was impressed by a five-year-old girl who saved her diabetic father from drowning in the bath after he fell into a coma. She said: "In many cases it's very hard to be objective and not let your emotions get in the way.
"I was on the panel last year and thought it would be easier to be a judge second time around. But I have found it even harder."
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