Looking for heroes that make Croydon a better place to live, Pic: Dominika Stefanska

Croydon Council has launched a new award for local heroes and is calling on residents to nominate volunteers, fundraisers or simply kind-hearted people that have made Croydon a better place to live.Anyone who has made outstanding contribution to the local community can be nominated by filling in a form online. The document is available in libraries, community centres and local voluntary organisations.

The council expects a huge number of nominations, with the awards divided into eleven categories, including: long service, carers, young volunteers and voluntary groups.

Councillor Vidhi Mohan, cabinet member for communities and the Big Society, said the prize is a way to thank people who are making a difference locally.

“Many of the borough’s residents regularly volunteer and local people donate a huge amount of time to their community. But their contribution is sometimes overlooked, and they are often not given the recognition that they deserve” he said.

Labour Councillor Mike Selva of Broad Green believes it is about time Croydon’s residents were recognised. The borough has one of the highest amount of volunteers in London, with nearly 500 organisations.

“Any award that encouraged community activities is welcome,” he says.

The awards are divided into eleven categories and nominations for all have to be sent by March 30, 2012. Winners will be announced on the first week of June at a civic ceremony during Volunteers Week – the first week in June