The recipients of the FirstCaribbean Bank (Jamaica) Limited's 2006 Unsung Heroes Awards received their plaques on Wednesday, at the Courtleigh Hotel in New Kingston. They are Joyce (left) and Reginald Lazarus (second left), Dr. Robert Babatunde Taylor (third right) and Fabian Mitchell (second right). Others in photo are Milton Brady (third left), managing director of FirstCaribbean Bank, and Al Webb, chairman of the Unsung Heroes Local Committee. - Winston Sill/Freelance Photographer

Four persons were rewarded for their work in volunteerism on Wednesday night with FirstCaribbean Interna-tional Bank's Unsung Heroes Awards, at the Courtleigh Hotel, New Kingston.

This year's recipients are Robert Babatunde Taylor, Reginald and Joyce Lazarus and Fabian Mitchell.

Mr. Taylor, a Nigerian by birth, practises in Port Antonio and is known for making 'house calls' in his adopted home town.

Additionally, he offers free examination to schools in the area, as well as awarding two scholarships annually to students at the Norwich School.

Special caregivers

The husband-and-wife team of Reginald and Joyce Lazarus are from the neighbouring parish of St. Mary. They were recognised for their charity work in the district of Orange Bay where they care for the indigent and children.

Fabian Mitchell, who is in his 30s, is the youngest of the recipients. However, he has been involved in social work since he was 13 years old. In 2001, he founded the Cross Roads Foundation which works with the underprivileged.

FirstCaribbean launched the Unsung Heroes Awards in 2004, honouring persons committed to volunteerism. This year, there were 211 entries from 15 of the 17 countries in which the bank operates. Finalists in each country received US$5,000 while regional awardees received US$7,500.