Every day, acts of overwhelming kindness and selflessness go unrecognised in our community.

From teachers to sports coaches, band leaders to fundraisers, there are individuals among us who through their encouragement, support and mentoring have proved an inspiration to young people within the St Albans district.

Together with local solicitors Debenhams Ottaway, The St Albans Review has launched its Inspiring People awards for 2011 and 2012, aimed at giving recognition to these unsung heroes – but we need your help.

“It is all too easy to criticise young people but there are many in our district that are hard-working, motivated and keen to achieve,” says Review group editor Peter Wilson-Leary.

“Of course this is the result of their own drive and the support of their parents/carers. However frequently people can name another individual who through their support or actions made a real impact on their life and inspired them to do more.”

For the next year, each month, the awards will recognise an individual that has inspired the district’s youth to achieve their best – but we need your nominations to make it happen.

A number have already been submitted like tennis coach Liz Jones from Welwyn who has been at Batchwood Tennis Centre since 1992. Inspiring a generation of players to take up the sport, two British Junior Champions have passed through her ranks.

Head teacher at London Colney Primary School, Lisa Valla was nominated for the ‘inspiration and encouragement’ she gives her pupils, while Jane Cutler, who runs DaCapo Music Foundation has set scores of young musicians on the right route to stardom.

Ian Hopkins, chief executive of Debenhams Ottaway Solicitors, says: “We are delighted to be able to work with the Review to give public recognition to individuals who are supporting our young generation. The awards will identify these inspirational people and enable us to thank them.”