Today the Times & Star launches the West Cumbria Community Heroes Awards for 2018.

This is your chance to nominate those in the community who go the extra mile to make all our lives better.

From carers to volunteers, worthy projects to community champions – it’s time to celebrate the unsung heroes who do so much for us, often without getting the thanks they deserve.

Last year, a glitzy gala ceremony, held at Whitehaven Golf Club, celebrated the efforts of our Community Heroes.

And again this year the awards, now in their fourth year, will end the year with a great night out for those who deserve to be spoiled.

Below, you will find the categories and an explanation of who qualifies.

The closing date for entries is Friday, June 29. The celebration evening will be held on Thursday, November 29.

The categories are:

Carer of the Year
Someone who provides exceptional unpaid care and goes over and above the call of duty

Young Carer of the Year
Someone under the age of 18 who provides exceptional unpaid care and goes over and above the call of duty

Good Neighbour of the Year
Someone who goes over and above normal friendship to be a good neighbour, who has had a significant impact on an individual or community

Young Achiever of the Year
Someone, under 18, who has completed an outstanding voluntary or community act or service

Sporting Hero of the Year
Someone who has shown particularly outstanding achievements in amateur sport, voluntary work or a coaching capacity

Young Sporting Hero of the Year
Someone under 18 who has shown particularly outstanding achievements in amateur sport, voluntary work or a coaching capacity

Unsung Hero of the Year
Someone who has gone above and beyond the call of duty in the community

Volunteer of the Year
A dedicated individual who regularly gives up their time to help charitable causes

Young Volunteer of the Year
A dedicated individual, under 18, who regularly gives up their time to help charitable causes

Best Community Project or Champion of the Year
A project carried out by a local voluntary group or individual which has benefited the local community

Best Youth Community Project or Champion of the Year
A project carried out by a local voluntary group or individual which has benefited a local youth community or is run by under 18s

Pride of place West Cumbria’s Person of the Year
A special award designed to honour someone who has made a real difference to their community over many years, but especially in the last 12 months

You can make nominations using either the online form below or download it from here , print it out and post it back to us.