TODAY is the last day for nominating your unsung heroes for the Pride of Swindon Awards.

Philippa Kennard, one of those that works tirelessly behind the scenes for the young people of Swindon, is one of the nominees this year for her services to scouting. She more than lives up to the motto of ‘be prepared’ juggling a variety of tasks, family and a career.

A girl guide herself Philippa has always had an interest in the movement and became a young leader and achieved the Queen’s Guide award but it was her son who got her involved in scouting.

“Greg, 14, was at beavers in Kent and I was a parent helper. When we moved to Swindon six years ago he changed colonies and after a year they wanted a group secretary so I put my name forward. That was in 2006 and I have been doing it ever since,’’ said Philippa 44, from Warrener Close in Abbey Meads, Swindon.

Greg is now in the Explorers in Highworth and has earned a gold Chief Scout award.

Philippa goes way beyond the duties of secretary such as taking minutes, organising AGMs and sorting agendas for the 7th Swindon Scout Group. She also writes and publishes the scouting newsletter three times a year and undertakes the mammoth task of organising the Scouts’ Christmas post.

“It is a huge task,’’ she admitted. “I do all the publicity side, sorting and delivery and as Swindon is a growing area each year it gets more difficult but it is our major fundraising activity.’’ Scouting is undoubtedly a family affair as husband Tony does not get away without helping, and has even been roped into becoming the scout group chairman. Their two other sons, Robert, 12, and Nicholas, 10, who are not interested in becoming scouts, still lend a hand when mum organises the Easter egg hunt or group campfire night.

“We have annual group camps at places like Roves Farm and Wroughton and last year my husband and I did the lunch stop where the scouts go on a hike and then stop for lunch which they have to prepare themselves, under our guidance’’ she said.

The busy mum also works at the research council and fills in for Greg when he is on holiday delivering Swindon Advertisers on his newspaper round.

She has had her tortoise, Napoleon for more than 40 years and the family also has three cats, two hamsters and a tankful of African snails.

Philippa also helps out with the Cat’s Protection League on the publicity side.

Today is the last day to hand in your nomination forms for this year’s awards.

Tony Martin one of the panel of judges for Pride of Swindon Awards said: “We have a record number of unsung heroes in local sports clubs who spend hundreds of hours of their own time for years and years coaching people in football, swimming, rugby, and athletics clubs.’’

The ceremony will be on Thursday, April 7 at Steam. For more details and application forms visit www.swindonadvertiser.co.uk and click on Pride of Swindon link.