Features

LAST CHANCE:  Nominations end Friday 31st October 2008

The search for the BBC Sports Unsung Hero is taking place across the United Kingdom. It will see winners named in the following 15 BBC Nations and Regions:

Northern Ireland, Scotland, Wales, East, East Midlands, London, North East & Cumbria, North West, South, South East, South West, West, West Midlands, Yorkshire, Yorkshire & Lincolnshire.

We are looking for an individual who, on a voluntary basis, makes a real difference to sport within your region.  This person will give their time and talents to enable others to participate in sport. This may be in helping an individual, team or teams.

• This sport can be at any level.
  
• They must be someone who gains no financial reward for their time and effort.
  
• They must be aged 16 years or over.

Billy Beck, BBC South East Unsung Hero

Regional judging panels, made up of a cross-section of BBC sports staff and other local sports experts, will decide each regional winner in November.

All 15 will then will be invited to this years BBC Sports Personality of the Year show, broadcast live from the Liverpool Echo Arena on Sunday 14th December between 7-9pm, where an overall winner will be announced. 

85 year-old Margaret Simons took the overall award in 2007 for her work over 40 years in junior football.  

Bursaries of up to £2,500, provided by award supporters Robinsons, are also available to winners of each regional award.  This is to help them with their work in sport and the community.

Paralympian rower Alastair Mckean is backing the awards as the South East's regional ambassador.  Alastair knows how important the contributions of unsung heroes can be - he credits his own unsung hero Andy Turner with making him the success he is today.

Alastair Mckean and Andy Turner

Alastair told South East Today: "I have known Andy since 1999, and he's never asked for anything. He always gives up his time for free.  He never sings his own praises and that's refreshing. He just does it because he loves it, he'd never expect any recognition.

Andy’s been around GB rowing for the best part of 30 years, and people would pay for that kind of experience, but he is happy to give his time to us and all the other clubs for free because he loves seeing people succeed."

Previous winner

Last year's BBC South East award was picked up by Billy Beck for his inspirational work with Brompton Boxing Club, Chatham.

You can find more information on Billy's work along with other 2007 winners by clicking on the link below:

How to make a nomination

For the nominations there are two ways to nominate either online here:

or by downloading the following PDF

To enter, you must ensure all the sections are filled in. Any nomination that doesn't include details of the nominee cannot be accepted.

Send the completed form before the closing date of Friday 31st October 2008 to:

BBC South East Sports Unsung Hero 2008,
The Great Hall,
Mount Pleasant Road,
Tunbridge Wells,
TN1 1QQ

Your nominee must be informed and have agreed to being entered, nominees may be asked to appear on BBC TV and/or radio.  The judges' decision is final and no correspondence will be entered into regarding their decision.

The competition complies with the BBC's new Code of Conduct on Competitions and Voting which is published on the BBC's website.