Twenty-First Century Heroes

[Flyboy]

I was reminded today, of Helen Skelton's and Eddie Izzard's tremendous efforts in last year's Sport Relief campaign. Their actions differed greatly from the public's perception and from the normal expectations of such people, and they deserve some recognition in remembering them for their achievements. Other people of note from the last ten years, for me, include Lance Corporal Johnson Beharry VC, Jane Tomlinson (although diagnosed with terminal cancer she raised millions in charitable donations), Lewis Hamilton and Kirsty Howard, the little girl who was born with a reversed heart and whose ambition was to raise one million pounds (I believe she actually raised considerably more than that).

As the first decade of this new century closes, who would you count as your heroes of the twenty-first century.

[Maggy J]

You forgot David Walliam's Channel swim as well.

[Flyboy]

Thank you Maggy, it was indeed an epic effort on his part. Every now and then some celebrities surprise us. As much as I detested Jade Goody, she took part in the London Marathon and managed to complete more than three quarters of the course.

[Hugh]

Bill & Melinda Gates, whose Foundation has given $23 billion dollars to help others in the last 16 years, and $3 billion in 2009, and whose aim is "to help all people lead healthy, productive lives. In developing countries, it focuses on improving people’s health and giving them the chance to lift themselves out of hunger and extreme poverty. In the United States, it seeks to ensure that all people—especially those with the fewest resources—have access to the opportunities they need to succeed in school and life".

They have used their (time and) money to make a difference, without any fanfare.

[alferret]

Lewis Hamilton? Hero? Blimey that's shallow, there are far more deserving folk who should\would\could be classed as a hero.

[Peter_]

Originally Posted by alferret

Lewis Hamilton? Hero? Blimey that's shallow, there are far more deserving folk who should\would\could be classed as a hero.

No sportsman should ever be considered a hero as a hero does not expect to be paid megabucks.

[TheNorm]

Originally Posted by Masque

No sportsman should ever be considered a hero ...

What about Jess Owens (1936 Berlin Olympics)? Or Oscar Pistorius (the Blade Runner)? Or Walter Payton (used to play for the Chicago Bears) who, in the face of premature death, started several initiatives that have improved the lives of thousands?

[Peter_]

Originally Posted by TheNorm

What about Jess Owens (1936 Berlin Olympics)? Or Oscar Pistorius (the Blade Runner)? Or Walter Payton (used to play for the Chicago Bears) who, in the face of premature death, started several initiatives that have improved the lives of thousands?

You missed out the megabucks part which applies to all the modern day namby pamby fools on stupid wages, which has nothing whatsoever to do with the likes of Jesse Owens who ran in the 1936 Berlin Olympics and winning Gold medals in front of the likes of Hitler.

[gazzae]

Originally Posted by Masque

You missed out the megabucks part which applies to all the modern day namby pamby fools on stupid wages, which has nothing whatsoever to do with the likes of Jesse Owens who ran in the 1936 Berlin Olympics and winning Gold medals in front of the likes of Hitler.

Lots of megabucks namby pamby fools do a lot for charity.

On 24 January 2007, Drogba was appointed by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) as a Goodwill Ambassador. The UNDP were impressed with his previous charity work and believed that his high profile would help raise awareness on African issues.[68] Drogba's charity work continued when, in late 2009, he announced he would be donating the 3 million GBP signing on fee for his endorsement of Pepsi for the construction of a hospital in his hometown of Abidjan. This work was done through Drogba's recently created "Didier Drogba Foundation" and Chelsea announced they too would donate the fee for the deal toward the Foundation's project. Drogba decided on building the hospital after a recent trip to the Ivorian capital's other hospitals, saying "...I decided the Foundation's first project should be to build and fund a hospital giving people basic healthcare and a chance just to stay alive
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Didier_...#Personal_life

[Maggy J]

Originally Posted by gazzae

Lots of megabucks namby pamby fools do a lot for charity.

He's a rarity though..

[Peter_]

Originally Posted by gazzae

Lots of megabucks namby pamby fools do a lot for charity.

You had to go back to 2007 to find that though and the vast majority of today's sports people never do anything at all for charity.

[TheNorm]

Originally Posted by Masque

...the vast majority of today's sports people never do anything at all for charity.

How do you know?

Some celebrities give money without making a song-and-dance about it. Ricky Tomlinson donated £1m to charity and kept it quiet for two years, until someone else told the press.

[Hugh]

As Norm has posted, good works often go unreported (sometimes deliberately).

LookToTheStars

[Peter_]

Originally Posted by TheNorm

How do you know?

Some celebrities give money without making a song-and-dance about it. Ricky Tomlinson donated £1m to charity and kept it quiet for two years, until someone else told the press.

I am talking about overpaid sportsmen but each time you go off at a tangent.

Ricky Tomlinson donated his money towards the building of the Ronald Mcdonald house extension at Alder Hey Childrens Hospital in Liverpool and they are contain apartments for families of long term sick children who are being treated at the hospital.

Remember I am talking about the overpaid sports stars of today no one else fits that category not even an actor.

[Sirius]

Originally Posted by TheNorm

What about Jess Owens (1936 Berlin Olympics)? Or Oscar Pistorius (the Blade Runner)? Or Walter Payton (used to play for the Chicago Bears) who, in the face of premature death, started several initiatives that have improved the lives of thousands?

A hero to me is someone who puts his or her LIFE on the line to save the life of others knowing they could be killed in the process.

Over paid ballerinas or footballers as some call them are NOT heroes.

This is a hero.

On 1 May 2004, Beharry was driving a Warrior Tracked Armoured Vehicle that had been called to the assistance of a foot patrol caught in a series of ambushes. The Warrior was hit by multiple rocket propelled grenades, causing damage and resulting in the loss of radio communications. The platoon commander, the vehicle’s gunner and a number of other soldiers in the vehicle were injured. Due to damage to his periscope optics, Pte. Beharry was forced to open his hatch to steer his vehicle, exposing his face and head to withering small arms fire. Beharry drove the crippled Warrior through the ambush, taking his own crew and leading five other Warriors to safety. He then extracted his wounded comrades from the vehicle, all the time exposed to further enemy fire. He was cited on this occasion for "valour of the highest order".

While back on duty on 11 June 2004, Beharry was again driving the lead Warrior vehicle of his platoon through Al Amarah when his vehicle was ambushed. A rocket propelled grenade hit the vehicle six inches from Beharry's head and he received serious shrapnel injuries to his face and brain. Other rockets hit the vehicle incapacitating his commander and injuring several of the crew. Despite his life threatening injuries, Beharry retained control of his vehicle and drove it out of the ambush area before losing consciousness. He required brain surgery for his head injuries, and he was still recovering when he was awarded the VC in March 2005.

Here's another one. Do you see a trend here ??

During the night of 11th/12th June 1982, 3rd Battalion The Parachute Regiment mounted a silent night attack on an enemy battalion position on Mount Longdon, an important objective in the battle for Port Stanley in the Falkland Islands. Sergeant McKay was platoon sergeant of 4 Platoon, B Company, which, after the initial objective had been secured, was ordered to clear the Northern side of the long East/West ridge feature, held by the enemy in depth, with strong, mutually-supporting positions. By now the enemy were fully alert, and resisting fiercely. As 4 Platoon's advance continued it came under increasingly heavy fire from a number of well-sited enemy machine gun positions on the ridge, and received casualties. Realising that no further advance was possible the Platoon Commander ordered the Platoon to move from its exposed position to seek shelter among the rocks of the ridge itself. Here it met up with part of 5 Platoon.

The enemy fire was still both heavy and accurate, and the position of the platoons was becoming increasingly hazardous. Taking Sergeant McKay, a Corporal and a few others, and covered by supporting machine gun fire, the Platoon Commander moved forward to reconnoitre the enemy positions but was hit by a bullet in the leg, and command devolved upon Sergeant McKay.

It was clear that instant action was needed if the advance was not to falter and increasing casualties to ensue. Sergeant McKay decided to convert this reconnaissance into an attack in order to eliminate the enemy positions. He was in no doubt of the strength and deployment of the enemy as he undertook this attack. He issued orders, and taking three men with him, broke cover and charged the enemy position.

The assault was met by a hail of fire. The Corporal was seriously wounded, a Private killed and another wounded. Despite these losses Sergeant McKay, with complete disregard for his own safety, continued to charge the enemy position alone. On reaching it he despatched the enemy with grenades, thereby relieving the position of beleaguered 4 and 5 Platoons, who were now able to redeploy with relative safety. Sergeant McKay, however, was killed at the moment of victory, his body falling on the bunker.

Without doubt Sergeant McKay's action retrieved a most dangerous situation and was instrumental in ensuring the success of the attack. His was a coolly calculated act, the dangers of which must have been all too apparent to him beforehand. Undeterred he performed with outstanding selflessness, perseverance and courage.

With a complete disregard for his own safety, he displayed courage and leadership of the highest order, and was an inspiration to all those around him.[1]

A hero is not someone who gives money to someone else or plays a sport for his country and who then earns massive wages for doing it.