DO you know someone who deserves a special mention or would you like to say a big thank you to someone who is always giving up their time to help others?

The Warrington Guardian Inspiration Awards returns for a sixth year this autumn to celebrate some of the town’s unsung heroes.

Nominees will gather at The Halliwell Jones Stadium on Thursday, November 15 to enjoy a two-course meal before prizes are handed out to our inspiring winners.

It will be a night of tears and cheers when we honour the great and the good of Warrington and salute those who make a difference to the town and the people around them each and every day.

This year’s categories include Teacher of the year, Sportsperson, Contribution to the Community, Teenager, Charity Champion, Charity of the Year, Carer, Volunteer, Hospital Hero and our special Lifetime Achievement award.

This goes to a person or people who have made a special impact on Warrington over a number of years.

Hayley Smith, Warrington Guardian editor, said: “Our Inspiration Awards are always a wonderful occasion and we are looking forward to rewarding even more unsung heroes this year. Whether it is saying thank you to a special teacher, giving a pat on the back to a hard-working charity champion or giving a carer some well-deserved recognition, please get in touch.

“We also have a new category this year – Hospital Hero – to celebrate the 70th anniversary of the NHS.”

To launch this year’s Warrington Guardian Inspiration Awards we gathered some of last year’s winners outside our office to unveil a plaque in their honour which will appear on a fleet of Warrington’s Own Buses. Sue Crank, who raised more than £3,000 from her hospital bed while seriously ill, was among the worth winners after picking up last year’s charity champion.

The selfless 48-year-old’s relationship with the town’s homeless and vulnerable started when she started cleaning the toilets at YMCA Warrington as a volunteer 12 years ago.

What has followed has been a true display of kindness, courage and determination.

She said: “I hope this will act as an example to others.

“I don’t want to sound political but when there are Government cuts, it is charities and volunteers that have to pick up the pieces – they are there to help the community.

“If this did not happen there would be so many people who would go without.

“It has been extremely rewarding. It really puts your life into perspective.”

One year one from winning the award, Sue hopes to leave behind a legacy which will inspire the next generation of charity champions.

THE categories for this year’s Warrington Guardian Inspiration Awards have been finalised.

To celebrate the everyday heroes living and working in the town we have launched a search to uncover those who have made an impact and deserve some much-needed recognition for always going above and beyond. 

This year’s categories are:

  • Carer of the Year
  • Charity Champion
  • Young Charity Champion
  • Teacher of the Year
  • Charity of the Year
  • Hospital Hero
  • Sportsperson of the Year
  • Contribution to the Community
  • Volunteer of the Year
  • Lifetime Achievement

You can nominate a worthy recipient from now until the closing date of Friday, September 14.

Just tell us who you are nominating and why that person deserves to win a Warrington Guardian Inspiration Award.

Include as much information as possible about the nominee along with your contact details and if possible, those of the person you are nominating.

Entries can be sent to Inspiration Awards, Newsdesk, Warrington Guardian, Unit 4 Cygnet Court, Warrington, WA1 1PP or email maureen.friday@nqnw.co.uk.