eceives his award from Olympic gold medallist Duncan Goodhew and ITV news presenter Sangeeta BhabraThis year's winner Alec Martin r

Who is your local hero?

Maybe it is a courageous child who has battled illness, a dynamo who raises lots of money for charity or a community stalwart who keeps a popular local group going.

Whoever it is, we want you to nominate them for Pride in Medway.

The 2012/13 awards are launched today and we are seeking those people who go that extra mile but rarely get recognised for their efforts.

This is the 12th time Pride in Medway has been run and during that time we have reported on hundreds of marvellous people who help to make this area tick.

The overall winner of the 11th awards was Alec Martin. The 14-year-old, from Allhallows, got a standing ovation as he received his prize from Olympic gold medallist Duncan Goodhew.

The teenager, who has fought cancer three times, has raised more than £6,500 for charities that have supported him including University College Hospital London, Demelza Hospice Care and the Starlight Children’s Foundation.

Do you know someone who could follow in Alec’s footsteps? A nomination form will be printed each week in the Medway Messenger for you to fill in and let us know who we should be writing about. You can attach a note with more details about your nominee if you wish.

One of the sponsors, Southern Water, is backing the awards for the third year in a row.

Senior public relations manager Beverley Thompson said: "It is great to able to recognise and thank those people who think they are ordinary but in fact make an extraordinary difference to their communities."

E.ON is also sponsoring the awards again. Plant managers Alan Sanderson and Paul Morton said: "We never cease to be amazed and inspired by the lengths, effort and energy some people are willing to go to support their local community.

"Our power stations at Grain and Kingsnorth can help power local homes and businesses but it takes people to light up their communities; the type of people recognised by the Pride in Medway awards"

Pride in Medway is also supported by Medway Council, mhs homes, the Medway Messenger and the University of Kent.

To nominate your local hero, pick up a copy of the Friday Medway Messenger for a nomination form.