SPORTS clubs, schools, organisations and individuals are being invited to “shine a light on your local sport and activity heroes” by nominating them for this year’s Energise Me Awards.

A charity that exists to beat inactivity, Energise Me is the county sports partnership for Hampshire and the Isle of Wight, and works to get people moving and to build happier and healthier communities.

Its message is clear: “Even a small amount of regular physical activity or sport can make a great difference to health and wellbeing.”

The Energise Me Awards celebrate sports and physical activity across the county by rewarding sporting achievements and shining a light on local heroes who are transforming lives through physical activity.

Energise Me is now calling on the community to nominate their heroes “to celebrate the people who inspire you to get up and get active!”.

Last year, Energise Me received 220 nominations, among them Paralympic gold medallist sprinter Georgina Hermitage from Binsted, near Alton, who was named Senior Sportsperson.

The 28-year-old mum of one has cerebral palsy and only decided to resurrect her sporting career after being inspired by Mo Farah’s success in the London 2012 Olympics.

Training at Mint Condition in Binsted and Alton Sports Centre, Georgie went on to win gold at the Rio 2016 Paralympic Games, and in 2017 received the MBE in the Queen’s New Year’s Honours List for service to sport.

This year they are looking for an even more diverse range of nominees, to inspire people to get active.

There are 13 awards for 2018, and nominations are being invited in the following categories: Club of the Year, Coach of the Year, Volunteer of the Year, Junior Sportsperson, Senior Sportsperson, Official of the Year, Outstanding Achievement, Energise Me: Making a Difference, Team of the Year, Active Workplace, and Service to Sport.

And new this year, School of the Year celebrates schools who have committed to increasing activity levels in their pupils and Achievement in the Face of Adversity recognises those who have achieved a goal against all odds.

Nominations are free and open until Wednesday, January 31, and the awards will be presented at Southampton Football Club’s St Mary’s Stadium on March 8. To nominate online, visit energiseme.org.