Features

LAST CHANCE: Nominations end Friday 31st October 2008

The search for the BBC Sports Unsung Hero is taking place across the United Kingdom.

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.

The Sports Editors of BBC Radio Lancashire, BBC Radio Merseyside and BBC Radio Manchester will be joined by some of the north west's top athletes to judge the entries.

June Kelly, BBC North West Unsung Hero

The winner will be invited, along with 14 other winners to this year's 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.

Cyclist Jason Kenny is backing the awards as the North West's regional ambassador. Jason knows how important these contributions are. He credits his own unsung hero, Graham Leeke, with making him the success he is today.

Jason Kenny

Jason told BBC North West Tonight: "Graham is a coach at Eastlands Velo kids club here at the Velodrome, where I started when I was eleven.

People like Graham who work there and who are all voluntary are the unsung heroes. They get kids involved in the sport.

Graham was the coach who took the sessions and showed me how to ride the track properly, so I owe it all to him."

Graham Leeke said: "It's an honour to be called an unsung hero! It’s nice to see the people who you've brought through get to the top. I just love getting kids on the track, getting them riding. That’s the fun part."

Previous winner

Last year's BBC North West award was picked up by June Kelly for her inspirational work with Abraham Moss Warriors Junior Football Club.

You can find more information on June'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:

Sports Unsung Hero BBC North West,
Steve Rawling,
Medlock Building,
New Broadcasting House,
Oxford Rd,
Manchester
M60 1SJ

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.