IT'S time to nominate your heroes as the 2018 Solar Crown Pride of St Helens Awards are now officially open.

Organisers have confirmed that the annual ceremony will take place on Friday, November 16 at the Totally Wicked Stadium, home of the Saints.

The Star and the Steve Prescott Foundation have again joined forces for the awards, which are in their seventh year and aim to showcase the fantastic talent and bravery across this proud borough.

Star readers can submit entries via the newspaper’s website and a judging panel will sit later in the year to choose winners.

The Star team said: "St Helens is a town full of people who rally together in times of the greatest need and is also home to a host of inspiring individuals who give us a strong sense of pride year on year.

"These awards are our chance to really give people the chance to shout loud and proud for their achievements, successes and bravery - so please nominate your deserving winners and help us celebrate those who make our town great."

Martin Blondel, general manager of the SPF, said: "The Solarcrown Pride of St Helens Community Awards goes from strength to strength last year we received more than 300 nominations celebrating the great and good within our borough. 

"We anticipate smashing that number this year and have included a category for Family of the Year which we will be inundated with nominations for.

"It is so simple to nominate through the St Helens Star website and now it’s time give a little something back to those who give so much for others."

Nominations will close on Friday, September 7 at noon.

Categories

Solarcrown Commercial Pride of St Helens Award

The night’s premier award will salute a man or woman, or organisation who our judges believe has made an outstanding and lasting contribution to St Helens.

Carmel College Leadership Award

Teacher, lecturer, coach or tutor? Who has inspired in the classroom, the sports field, or the music hall?

St Helens RFC Sportsperson of the Year

Whose achievements in the sporting arena have been the brightest over the past year? We want nominations from all sporting fields – from amateurs to professionals, and from coaches and players.

Handepay Unsung Hero Award

Which person has made the biggest difference to our communities? They may have improved a neighbourhood or led a campaign.

CoseyRentals Courage Award

Every year the Star runs stories telling of the heroism, courage or bravery of people from this town. But many others must go untold. Nominees could have performed a dramatic rescue or maybe they’ve overcome illness or injury to record inspiring achievements.

Accord Wills Child of Courage Award

We are searching for nominees who have shown immense courage in the face of adversity. Courage comes in different shapes – is it a child who has battled illness, performed an act of bravery or done something truly remarkable while up against the odds.

Ods Designer Clothing Young Community Star Award

Who are the unsung youngsters making a difference in our communities? It could be a remarkable community volunteer, a member of a club that has gone the extra mile, someone who has showed true kindness or immense bravery that has made a difference.

Assured Life Charity Champion

Charities local and nationally survive and thrive on the cash raised by big-hearted fundraisers. We don’t just want to hear who has raised the most, but how they have done it, what difference has it made and why it has inspired you.

Imperial Bar & Terrace Arts Award

Often St Helens is guilty of not shouting loud enough about those who have achieved remarkable things in the world of stage, screen, and music. We want to hear about bright young things and those who have made it to the very top.

St Helens Council Young Sportsperson of the Year Award

Which of St Helens sporting juniors have recorded the biggest achievement? In a town with so much talent we would expect a deluge of entries. Tell us who stands out? (Nominees must not have reached their 19th birthday by October 31.)

...and the new Family of the Year Award

We are looking for a family who have overcome adversity to help those less fortunate.

A family who have stood out in their community and gone that extra mile.

If you know of a family that fits this criteria please nominate them now.

To nominate someone for a Pride of St Helens Award 2018 simply click the link below to fill in the form below with your details, the name of the nominee and a short description of why they deserve to win.

To send in your nomination, click here.

A sponsor is still needed for the new Family of the Year Award.

If you are interested email martinblondel@steveprescottfoundation.co.uk.