LOWESTOFT historian and author John Holmes is urging people to take part in this year's Pride in the Community Awards.The deadline for entries is Thursday, June 10, and there have been many notable entries across all categories.

LOWESTOFT historian and author John Holmes is urging people to take part in this year's Pride in the Community Awards.

The deadline for entries is Thursday, June 10, and there have been many notable entries across all categories.

'As I was nominated for a Community Hero Award in 2007 by Janet Ellis and Zioyar Cole I felt that I should join them and Jill Eaton in encouraging members of the community to do their best to put someone forward for this award.

'As a consequence of my having been nominated and becoming a finalist I gained tremendously through attending the awards evening event. I became very much aware of the love, courage and commitment of some very special people,' he said.

Mr Holmes, who has raised thousands of pounds for charities including the Palliative Care East Appeal, said he felt 'humbled' attending the event.

'I wished that it had been shown on television so many more of us in the community could see first hand the tremendous commitment made by young children from the age of eight years to more mature people who gave their all for the benefit of others,' he said.

Mr Holmes has nominated Chris Brooks of London Road South, Lowestoft as a candidate for Community Hero award.

'This is because I know that he has done much to enhance the quality of life for many local people and has been very active on various local groups such as The Jack Rose Old Lowestoft Society (chairman for many years), and organised the annual Evacuees Event that means so much to those who were evacuated during the Second World War.

'Much of what he has done has demanded considerable commitment in an effort to meet the needs of others. He has over the years quietly got on with doing whatever he can for those who cannot perhaps help themselves and that is why I have pleasure in nominating him,' he said.

The Pride in the Community Awards are a partnership between the Lowestoft Journal, Beccles and Bungay Journal, and Pleasurewood Hills, to give thanks to those leading lights in our lives.

The awards are being held on Tuesday, July 13, at Pleasurewood Hills, in Leisure Way, Lowestoft, in the form of a summer garden party after the closure of the park.

All shortlisted nominees and their families will be treated to a delicious buffet and drinks prepared by the park caterers, which will be served by the lake.

A spectacular free performance of the summer show Circus and Street Arts will follow in the Castle Theatre before the presentation of the awards by Pleasurewood Hills manager Alexis Camelin and Lowestoft Journal editor Max Bennett.

Our sponsor Pleasurewood Hills, established in the early 1980s, is proud to have been part of the community for 27 years and is a key part of the region's heritage.

The park also supports many local businesses who supply a range of goods and materials. This commitment to the economy and the people that live and work in the area will provide genuine value to the awards and the community. Having won the Best Visitor Experience 2009 award at the Tourism in Suffolk awards, it only re-iterates the point of working together to continue the shared community partnerships.

We are looking for selfless individuals or groups who work quietly to achieve their goals and help others without every expecting anything in return.

To nominate someone for one of the nine categories fill in the entry form. Entries close on Thursday, June 10.