The first nomination was for Hayes mother, Alia Jones, who has turned a horrific experience into something positive.

In 2011 Mrs Jones’s husband, Lewis Jones, passed away three days after being diagnosed with a brain tumor aged just 27.

Their baby girl Jaida was just three weeks old and their other daughter Nevaeh was two.

Finding there was no specific no support network for families in her situation, Mrs Jones set up her own charity, Halo, to help children cope with bereavement.

For the past two years she has worked tirelessly to provide young people with activity groups and play sessions designed to help with with their loss.

Danielle Watson, a friend of Mr Jones, nominated her for being so strong and helping others who are suffering.

“I don’t know what to say I just feel really privileged to be nominated,” said Mrs Jones.

“I feel quite proud.”

Mrs Jones says she is simply trying to support to other people going through similar situations.

“I couldn’t find much help. My two-year-old was asking ‘where’s Daddy’,” she said.

“No one knew who to refer me to.”

Since November last year she has hosted a fundraising zumbathon, a Christmas fair and sponsored walks to raise enough money to secure Halo’s charity status and registration number which she hopes will be granted soon.

The money also funds a monthly activity group for children under 11 and the charity is in the process of setting another up for children 11 plus.

“Each session has a theme, for example ‘my special person’,” explained Mrs Jones.

“In that session we encouraged them to draw a picture of a person who means a lot to them - it didn't have to be the person they’d lost but it gave them the prompt to talk about it if they need to.”

The Local Heroes award ceremony is on June 5. Nominate your hero using the form below. If you need more space, pull the tab at the bottom. Nominations must be in by April 24.

Hayes mum's quest to ease pain for children