It was set up to celebrate real heroes from the community, and the annual Stars of Lowestoft and Waveney Awards are back for 2017.
Now in its third year, the awards honour those who go above and beyond to help their communities, giving local residents the recognition they truly deserve.
The awards ceremony will take place at the Ivy House Country Hotel in Oulton Broad in October, and the event is being sponsored by a range of local businesses, with The Journal and our sister papers the Beccles and Bungay Journal and Eastern Daily Press once again proud to be media partners.
Organiser Mick Parker, from Parker Communications, said: 'We started it to celebrate real local heroes, and the response we've had from the community in Lowestoft has been unbelievable.
'And over the years, as people have seen the sincerity of the event, more and more people want to get involved, and this allows us to put on a great evening with great prizes.
'It it obvious to us now that people love the Stars of Lowestoft and Waveney and we are looking forward to more nominations this year, more amazing stories and more recognition of our local heroes.
'The sponsors have all said they are more focussed than ever to help us make the awards the best yet.'
The ceremony will once again be hosted by BBC Radio Suffolk breakfast anchor Mark Murphy, who fell in love with the event after attending for the first time last year.
A special launch was held on April 18, attended by sponsor representatives, and nominations are now open for each of the 10 categories.
These are Young Person of the Year, Outstanding Sporting Achievement of the Year, Community Group or Champion of the Year, Outstanding Bravery, Team of the Year Education Star, Uniform Services, Veteran of the Year, Charity Worker of the Year and Unsung Hero/Heroine of the Year.
The closing date for entries is midnight on Friday, September 15, with the judging day on Monday, September 25.
Last year's awards saw 90 entries submitted, with the judges given the difficult task off choosing the three finalists and eventual winner in each category.
To make a nomination, fill in the online form above. Forms will also be available in the coming weeks from Ipswich Building Society branches and from East of England Co-op stores.
Sponsors
Kingsley Healthcare
Waveney Norse
The Hotel Victoria
Sentinel Leisure Trust
Lings Motor Group
Kingsley Healthcare
Waveney District Council
Marina Theatre
Hoseasons
Cottages.com
East of England Co-op Funeral Services
Media sponsors: Archant - Eastern Daily Press, Lowestoft Journal and Beccles and Bungay Journal
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