People in Blaby District are running out of time to nominate their local heroes for the district’s eighth annual Outstanding Achievement Awards.

Friends, families, and workmates are being urged to put forward individuals or groups who they think deserve recognition for exceptional work in the community by the August 19 deadline.

Last year Diane Brannan won the award for selfless service to the community after her vision for a more colourful and vibrant village led her to form the Sapcote Bloom Group.

Derek Forster worked with Diane to start the group and also nominated her for the award, he said:

“Diane motivated everyone who was involved in the project and was such an inspiration so I was thrilled to be able to give something back by putting her name forward for the award.

“She deserves so much credit because if it wasn’t for her we wouldn’t have got anywhere.”

Nominations are now being accepted for the following categories:
• Outstanding achievement by a young person
• Selfless services to a voluntary body or the community which is of a social or environmental nature
• Sporting achievement
• Community or voluntary group that improves the quality of life for residents in the district
• Individual or group that makes the district a safer place to live

Council leader Ernie White said:

“There are so many people doing wonderful things across Blaby district and it’s important we recognise their achievements.

“Over the years we have paid tribute to many young and old people who have gone the extra mile to serve their community or achieve great things on a personal level and I’m looking forward to seeing which local heroes we can uncover this time round.”

The 2011 awards have received generous sponsorship from Grove Park Commercial Centre, Fosse Shopping Park, Ford & Slater, Leicester Marriott, Bardon Aggregates, Sytner Group and Leicester Chamber of Commerce.

Finalists will be invited to a presentation dinner on 13th October 2011 where cash prizes and awards will be presented to the winners and runners up.

Submit your nomination online at www.blaby.gov.uk/awards or request a form by contacting the communications team at public.relations@blaby.gov.uk or 0116 272 7648.

The deadline for entries is August 19.