LAST year was a bad year to be brave. At Amnesty we know of 281 people around the world who were killed for standing up for what they believed in, but this figure is likely to be just the tip of the iceberg.

The dangers faced by human rights defenders are nothing new. Since the UN Declaration of Human Rights Defenders 20 years ago, we know of at least 3,500 activists who have been killed – an average of 180 deaths a year – and the annual death toll shows no sign of diminishing.

But next to these depressing statistics I have recently witnessed a chink of light that has filled me with hope: and it’s in the form of the Suffragette Spirit campaign of which the Hereford Times is backing.

Since Amnesty called on Britain to nominate the women continuing to campaign for change 100 years after winning the vote, I have been bowled over by the incredible cases put forward - all of whom are working to make very real, positive changes in their communities.

With headlines increasingly dominated by conflict, hatred and corruption across the planet - from the refugee crisis to an increase in hate crime - it can be easy to forget that there is much good being done on our doorstep.

From Glasgow to Portsmouth, Ipswich to Swansea, women embodying that fighting spirit a century on are using their powerful voices to help the vulnerable, stand up to bullies, fight racism, tackle abuse and save their local environment.

In fact, judging by the number of nominations we have been deluged with, there are literally hundreds of women human rights defenders up and down the country working to make their local area - and even the wider world - a better place.

One example is Anna Kennedy, a campaigner from Middlesbrough who has worked tirelessly to help people with autism. In her wide portfolio of work she has set up a two specialist schools, a residential home and campaigned for better diagnosis of the condition as well and helped tackle autism-related bullying in schools.

You might not have heard of Anna because she is busy effecting change for the people she cares about most.

But people like Anna are doing big things to champion human rights for all. And they deserve to be celebrated.

So what are you waiting for? Time is running out - nominate the amazing women in your community now before February 26 to ensure that your local Suffragette Spirit gets the recognition they deserve!

Visit www.amnesty.org.uk/suffragettespirit for details.