TIME is running out to nominate deserving individuals and groups for this year’s Examiner Community Awards.

Lots of entries have already come in for the ninth annual event, which recognises the unsung heroes and heroines in our town.

But with the deadline – Friday, April 3 – rapidly approaching, we don’t want anyone to miss out.

There are 13 categories, designed to honour exceptional achievement in all aspects of community life.

Winners will be announced at a ceremony at the Galpharm Stadium on June 22.

Broadcaster Nina Hossain will once again present the awards.

And she’s encouraging people not to miss the closing date.

Nina said: “The people I met last year were without doubt extremely inspirational, especially some of the younger winners.

“I think that whatever we can focus on in the world that’s really positive is the pick-up that everyone needs in the midst of the recession and the tough times that everyone is facing.

“It will be fantastic again to recognise the efforts of people in the community who have done something exceptional and I’m looking forward to seeing who has been nominated and what they have done.

“If you know somebody who is making that extra special effort and making a difference, in the workplace or among your family and friends, this is a platform to honour them for the amazing things they do. It’s the perfect way to get them the recognition they deserve.”

The 13 categories are: the Achievement Award, for someone who has shown an outstanding contribution to Huddersfield by significantly enhancing the town’s reputation, building bridges between communities or reducing inequality; Services to the Community; the Courage Award; Sports Personality of the Year; Teacher of the Year; Community Project of the Year; the Community Event Award for the best event of the year; Friend of the Year; Young Personality of the Year; Sports Team of the Year; Services to Charity; the Arts Award; and Emergency Services Personality of the Year.

Last year’s winners included Lockwood man Juby Mathew, who was given the Courage Award for saving four-year-old Brwa Hassan from an attack by a bull terrier-type dog, even though he is scared of dogs.

Young Personality of the Year was four-year-old Oliver Thornton, who had undergone several operations to try to correct his rare Hirschsprung’s disease and had raised £1,000 for toys at Leeds General Infirmary.

Paul Mellors, watch manager at Marsden fire station, won the Emergency Services Personality of the Year Award for all the extra hours he put in to his job. And the Borough of Kirklees Swimming Club was named Sports Team of the Year for an impressive range of achievements.

The Lifetime Achievement Award, which is not open to nominations, went to the University of Huddersfield Vice Chancellor Prof Bob Cryan.

Examiner editor Roy Wright said: “Last year’s awards ceremony was the best yet and I really hope we can build on that this year.

“Life is tough for a lot of people at the moment, so what better time to do something positive and give due recognition to all those fantastic people out there who are doing great things.”

It could not be easier to nominate this year, thanks to a special section set up on the Examiner website.

The website address is www.examinercommunityawards.co.uk, where you can also find out more information about the categories.

Alternatively, send your entries to: The Events Department, PO Box 48, Old Hall Street, Liverpool, L69 3EB.

Make sure you write down the name of the nominee, the category you are entering them for and details about why they deserve recognition.

Don’t forget to include their contact details along with your own.