THE 14th A Place to be Proud of Awards programme has been launched for 2017.

The awards, backed by the GazetteGazette, celebrate local unsung heroes and nominations are invited for individuals, organisations and projects that have made a special contribution to the community.

There are a range of categories all sponsored by local businesses:

- Young Achiever Award – Gazette Newspapers and The Breeze 

-  Arts & Entertainment Award – Basingstoke Leisure Park

-  Sports Hero Award – Destination Basingstoke Ltd

-  Unsung Hero Award – Festival Place

- Health & Care Award – BMI The Hampshire Clinic

- Basingstoke Ambassador Award – Face TV and Queen Mary’s College

- Community Project Award – Sentinel Housing Association

- Inspiring Teacher Award – Basingstoke & Deane Borough Council

The sports hero category will be chosen from a short list of three by a public, online vote again this year. 

“Destination Basingstoke is delighted to organise these awards that celebrate the best of our community and the amazing people that make Basingstoke and Deane such a special place to live,” said Felicity Edwards, managing director of Destination Basingstoke.

The Gazette’s Mike Sims said: “We at the Gazette are very proud of Basingstoke and its amazing residents, so we’re delighted to be involved in these awards again this year.

“I helped judge our category last year and it was extremely competitive, and I can’t wait to see who is nominated in 2017.”

BMI Hampshire Clinic is the new sponsor of the health and care category.

“We are delighted to be sponsors of the health and care category. As a local private hospital provider, we feel this is a great fit for both us and the awards themselves,” said Daisy Hulke, business development manager at BMI Healthcare. 

The inspiring teacher award is new to the event this year, and will be sponsored by Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council. Cabinet member for communities and community safety Cllr Simon Bound said: “We are delighted to be sponsoring the inspirational teacher award, which recognises excellence in teaching. Exceptional teachers help students to aim high and achieve.

“They truly change lives and it is so important that we celebrate these outstanding individuals, who regularly go the extra mile for our young people.”

The Place to be Proud of Awards are also pleased to be partnering with The NHS Foundation Trust and the Basingstoke Sports Awards organised by the Basingstoke Voluntary Sports Council.

Nominations can be made online at www.destinationbasingstoke.co.uk or by downloading a form. Closing date is 24th March 24, 2017. Finalists will be invited to the awards ceremony to be held at The Haymarket Theatre on June 7.