ONE of last year's Community Heroes Award winners is urging others to nominate people for this year's event.

Saj Ghafoor, of Multicultural Carlisle, won the Unsung Hero award at last year's event.

Saj organises multicultural events in the city to build bridges in the local community and has done so for many years.

One of the events she is involved with is the annual Culture Bazaar.

Saj, speaking about last year's Cumberland News Community Heroes event, said: "I felt so inspired by the fantastic people in the room and the awards were so well organised.

"The range of people from all walks of life being recognised for their community work was wonderful.

"I didn't think for a second that I would win the unsung hero award.

"It was really humbling, because all I wanted was to have all the people who have shared and contributed to my journey, without whom I really couldn't have achieved anything."

Now we need your help to ensure those who selflessly and tirelessly do so much to help others can receive a special thank-you.

We all have our own heroes - people who have been there when we’ve needed them most, who have inspired us to be the best we can or who, it seems, are always there with a helping hand to make life easier.

That might be a particular person who has helped on a one-to-one level or a group which makes your community a better place in which to live.

Whoever they are and whatever they do or have done, we want to hear all about them.

That means we need YOU to tell us who your heroes are and why they should be rewarded.

Once again, the awards will be presented during a special celebration at Carlisle Racecourse. This year’s event will take place on Thursday, July 4.

“To help us ensure that your hero gets the recognition they deserve, we need you to nominate them and tell us a little about why they’re heroic to you,” said Chris Story, editor of The Cumberland News.

“Only by you speaking up can we show them how valued they really are."

The Community Heroes Awards - launched in 2015 - has shone a light on some of the most inspirational people in Cumbria in recent years.

Previous events have seen judges and audiences humbled by the actions of those nominated.

Our 2019 awards categories are:

n Carer of the year

n Good neighbour

n Good friend

n Young achiever of the year

n Sporting hero

n Best community project

n Unsung hero

n Volunteer of the year

n Person of the year

The closing date for entries is May 31. To make a nomination fill out the form on this page or follow the link at www.cumberlandnews.co.uk, where you’ll also find more details on the category criteria.