TODAY the Gazette and Thames Valley University launches its seventh Pride in our People awards, which aims to find and reward the unsung heroes and heroines of our community.

But we need your help. We are asking our readers to nominate people from all walks of life who have achieved outstanding goals, devote their time to helping others or have won acclaim at work or in business.

Not only will their selfless efforts be highlighted in the Gazette and at a fantastic gala dinner, but they could win up to £1,000 and a lucky nominator could win £100.

There are five categories, below, with the winner of each receiving £500 and the overall winner, the Star of West London, receiving another £500. They are:

* COMMUNITY CHAMPION - this can be anyone who has made a contribution to their local community, making a real difference to a group or individual. It could be fund-raising for a local cause, running a self-help group or campaigning to improve the environment or keep a vital service going.

* MY HERO - this can be anything from doing something outstanding such as taking on a mugger to helping out a sick neighbour by doing the shopping or gardening. What might seem a small effort to you can be life-changing to someone in need.

* YOUNG PEOPLE - this can by anyone from a pupil to a young individual or group of young people who have made an outstanding personal achievement against the odds, such as a physical or mental disability, to working together to help less able members of the community. It can range from mentoring to charity work.

* KEY WORKER - this can be anyone involved in key jobs such as the health or fire service who go beyond the call of duty to help people in their care. It could be people who get involved in voluntary work or extend their role in the community such as a cancer nurse running a support group.

* BUSINESS - this could be any business, large or small, that provides superb service or an innovative product that helps the community such as equipment for the disabled. It could be the manager or owner who goes that extra mile for his customers or who is involved in the community.

* STAR OF WEST LONDON - this will be the overall winner of Pride in our People, the person who has outshone all the rest and really made an amazing contribution in the West London community.

Judges will choose three finalists in each category, with the winners being revealed at a glittering gala dinner at the Ramada Jarvis Hotel, Ealing Common on June 10. The cash prizes and trophies will be presented by celebrity guest Rachel Agnew, of ITVs Loose Women fame.

One lucky reader, randomly picked, who chooses a finalist will be presented with £100 on the night.

Click on page 2 for details of how you can nominate and win £100

During the coming weeks the Gazette will be publishing stories and pictures about the nominees and nominators so send in your entry forms (from the Ealing Gazzette and Ealing Leader papers) or send your nominations via email or our website , as soon as possible. The closing date for entries is April 23.

We want this year to be bigger and better than ever and Adrian Seal, multi-media content editor, said: "We know there are many people out there doing great things. We just want you tell us about them. It is important that especially in these difficult times we recognise and celebrate the selfless work being done by members of our local community. We have a great partner in TVU."

Lynn Grimes,TVU's Director of Marketing, Recruitment and Communications, said: "TVU is delighted to be working with the Gazette once again on the Pride in our People Awards 2010. It is so important to recognise the fantastic work being done in our community. I hope that Ealing Gazette readers will help support this year's event by nominating those they feel deserve special thanks for the hard work that they have done to help improve lives in their local area."

Last year's overall winners, Magdalen and the late Cuthbert Carter were a heart-warming testament of the kind of outstanding contributions being made in Ealing. They were nominated for dedicating their lives to helping underprivileged children by launching Acton Saturday School, one of the first supplementary schools in the country.

Speaking on behalf of her elderly mum, Nina Carter said: "She was so overwhelmed and still says the award was really for my dad who set up the school although she supported him. She felt so appreciated and acknowledge after all that time for the work they did although neither of them ever wanted any reward. These awards are great for highlighting the work people and organisations are doing and it also brings people together."

Her sentiments were echoed by Rachel Agnew, of Loose Women and 'voice of the post office' fame, who has kindly agreed to be our celebrity guest at the presentation dinner. Rachel, who lives in Ealing Common, said: "I am absolutely delighted to be involved. These are ordinary people doing extraordinary things and it should be celebrated."

Rachel was one of 3,000 hopefuls to enter the 'Make Me a Loose Woman' competition last summer and was stunned to receive a call while in Marrakesh telling her she was to join the raucous all-female panel.

She said: "It's great fun, like having a chat with your girlfriends. Sometimes you forget there's anyone out there. They didn't think they would find someone permanent. Long may it continue."

* You can send your nomination form by post to Jane Harrison, Hounslow Chronicle, 93 Staines Road, Hounslow, Middx. TW3 3JB or email.