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The ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ is once again set to honour individuals from the world of grassroots sport with the ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ Sports Unsung Hero Award 2010, launched today.

Across the UK everyone is invited to nominate people who have made a difference to their community through sport.

Now in its eighth year, the ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ Sports Unsung Hero Award recognises and rewards outstanding contribution by individuals at the grassroots level of local sport.

A winner is chosen in each ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ English Region and in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. Each winner then gets the chance to join the sporting stars of today at ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ Sports Personality of the Year 2010 at Birmingham's LG Arena in December, where the overall ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ Sports Unsung Hero winner is announced.

Nominations should be made for people who go the extra mile to change the lives of others through sport and who deserve to be recognised for their selfless work on the part of others.

Nominees should be people who, on a voluntary basis, prepare facilities, roll the pitch, coach the juniors, run local sports leagues or work behind the scenes so that sport can be played and enjoyed by people throughout the UK.

Once the nomination process has been completed, a shortlist of nominees in each area is chosen by a panel made up of ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ regional and nation's sports staff, local sporting figures and other independent community figures, with a winner being picked by that judging panel.

Last year's overall winner was Doreen Adcock from Milton Keynes. Doreen, aged 72, impressed the judges with her dedication to teaching people to swim over the last 35 years, choosing her as the overall winner from the 15 regional winners across the UK.

Doreen is club leader for Quest Swimming Club and Carlton Youth and Swim Club and has taught 13,000 people to swim, going the extra mile to change the lives of others through sport.

Barbara Slater, Director of ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ Sport, says: "On one of the biggest nights of the sporting year it's brilliant the ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ can pay tribute to the unsung heroes who help keep sport across the UK thriving. Their commitment at all levels is second to none."

Nominations for the ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ Sports Unsung Hero Award 2010 can be made at using a printable form.

There is also a low-cost phone number people can call to request nomination forms – 03700 100 800. Calls to this number are the same as costs to 01/02 geographic numbers, although calls from mobiles may cost more depending on the provider.

Nomination forms are also available from ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ Local Radio stations and ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ Regional and National centres. Nominations can be made up until midnight on Friday 29 October.

³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ Sports Personality of the Year 2010 returns to Birmingham this year at the LG Arena and will be broadcast live on ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ One on Sunday 19 December from 7pm.

Notes to Editors

Nominations are made via a form obtainable from bbc.co.uk/sportsunsunghero, can be requested by calling 03700 100 800, or picked up from ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ Local Radio and Regional TV centres. Calls to this number are the same as costs to 01/02 geographic numbers, although calls from mobiles may cost more depending on the provider.

People are asked to detail the numbers of years a nominee has been involved in that sport or organisation, the amount of time given each week, what they do, and how it has improved people's enjoyment of sport and life. We also ask what being involved has meant to their local community.

Full terms and conditions are available at bbc.co.uk/sportsunsunghero.

BG