Tell us about the one who inspires you

WITH only a few weeks left to nominate the person you think deserves a Journal Pride in the Community Award, now is the time to really think about who deserves to be recognised.

Dozens of entries have already been received at our offices in Lowestoft, but we want more.

Who is it in your life who makes every day brighter and who do you turn to when you need support? We want to know, so we can pay tribute to them.

Do you have a teacher who makes your time at school more enjoyable? Or perhaps there is a business in Lowestoft or Southwold which you can't fault for their customer service.

The awards are taking place at the Wherry Hotel, in Oulton Broad, on Monday, July 7.

They are sponsored again by Pleasurewood Hills, who are celebrating 25 years in the community, and who see the importance of passion and commitment to the area in which they operate.

Among the nominations this week is one from Liam Blowers, who has nominated Terri Ward, at Old Warren House, as Teacher of the Year.

Liam, who is 15, said since he had been moved to the school his life has changed.

He said: “I am very happy and settled here which I thought would never happen. I would like to put my vote in for Miss Ward as teacher of the year as she has done so much and has changed my school days since I have been here. I feel this would be a special and nice way to thank her for what she has done for me while I've been at this happy, safe school.”

Charity fundraiser Zoiyar Cole, who is currently in the process of organising her latest challenge - the Toe Dip on Thursday, June 5 - has also been nominated for the Where the Heart Is category.

Her friend Vera Walpole said she wanted to nominate her for “her ceaseless caring work” collecting funds for the cancer charity, while her husband Derick said she spends all her time, including weekends at Jazos cancer shop, in London Road South, while still collecting funds for their son Paul's fund, which has so far raised in the region of £178,000.

Little Ben McMillan has been nominated by his grandmother Doreen as Inspirational Child of the Year, and his mother Donna for Where the Heart Is category.

Ben, who suffers from cranial stenosis, with eye, hearing and speech problems, has recently been diagnosed with hypo mobility and has just completed a stint in Great Ormond Street Hospital.

“Through all this Ben stays happy, smiley and focused. He is a confident little boy who takes it all in his stride,” said Doreen. “It breaks my heart to hear him say 'I don't like this treatment nanny' but he doesn't make a fuss, he just gets on with it.”

Of her daughter Donna, Doreen described how she put Ben first in everything, travelling miles to hospitals, while also taking care of her, and her father, who has recently been ill.

“I cannot express how proud we are of our daughter and the way she coped with Ben and his problems. She is a daughter in a million, we love her so much,” said Doreen.

To nominate someone fill in the form on this page and include a recent photo of the person being nominated. Include on a separate piece of paper why you think the person you are putting forward should win the award.

Entries close on Monday, June 9, at 5pm.