People Features

LAST CHANCE: Nominations end Friday 31st October 2008

The search for the BBC Sports Unsung Hero is taking place across the United Kingdom. It will see winners named in the following 15 BBC Nations and Regions:

Northern Ireland, Scotland, Wales, East, East Midlands, London, North East & Cumbria, North West, South, South East, South West, West, West Midlands, Yorkshire, Yorkshire & Lincolnshire.

We are looking for an individual who, on a voluntary basis, makes a real difference to sport within your region. This person will give their time and talents to enable others to participate in sport. This may be in helping an individual, team or teams.

• This sport can be at any level.
  
• They must be someone who gains no financial reward for their time and effort.
  
• They must be aged 16 years or over.

John Palmer, BBC London Unsung Hero 2007

Regional judging panels, made up of a cross-section of BBC sports staff and other local sports experts, will decide each regional winner in November.

All 15 will then will be invited to this years BBC Sports Personality of the Year show, broadcast live from the Liverpool Echo Arena on Sunday 14th December between 7-9pm, where an overall winner will be announced. 

85 year-old Margaret Simons took the overall award in 2007 for her work over 40 years in junior football.

Bursaries of up to £2,500, provided by award supporters Robinsons, are also available to winners of each regional award. This is to help them with their work in sport and the community.

Olympic Gold medal winning boxer James DeGale is backing the awards as the London regional ambassador. 

James DeGale

James knows how important these contributions are, he credits his own unsung hero Steve Newland.

James explained the importance of his help in pursuit of an Olympic medal: "Steve has helped me so much; given up his weekends for me. He's helped me to the gold."

Previous winner

Last year's BBC London award was picked up by John Palmer for his inspirational work with Lewisham District Cricket Club.

You can find more information on John's work along with other 2007 winners by clicking on the link below:

How to make a nomination

For the nominations there are two ways to nominate either online here:

or by downloading the following PDF

To enter, you must ensure all the sections are filled in. Any nomination that doesn't include details of the nominee cannot be accepted.

Send the completed form before the closing date of Friday 31st October 2008 to:

BBC London Sports Unsung Hero,
35c Marylebone High Street,
London,
W1U 4QA

Your nominee must be informed and have agreed to being entered, nominees may be asked to appear on BBC TV and/or radio. The judges' decision is final and no correspondence will be entered into regarding their decision.

The competition complies with the BBC's new Code of Conduct on Competitions and Voting which is published on the BBC's website.