British Citizen Awards: Spotlight on ordinary people doing the extraordinary

A new award aims to recognise our unsung heroes

British Citizen Awards (BCA)

Nominations for "ordinary people who do extraordinary things" are pouring in for the first British Citizen Awards (BCA).

Mike Faulkner, BCA director, says he and his team have been overwhelmed by the stories of incredible selflessness that have accompanied many nominations.

One tells of a mother of five from the North of England who established and runs a foodbank. Aside from collecting and organising donations, the nominee offers emotional support for more than 100 families on a weekly basis.

Another nominee is a Midlands woman who, over the past 20 years, has devoted her time and energy to training dogs to assist those with chronic illnesses.

The awards have garnered support from a number of prominent figures.

i is a media partner for the awards, which seek to recognise ordinary people who give up their time to help others without expecting any reward.

Brooke Kinsella, the actress who has campaigned tirelessly against knife crime following the murder of her brother, Ben, in 2008, said the awards would "shine a light on the unsung heroes who quietly do amazing things".

Nominations, which can be made at britishcitizenawards.co.uk, are already being scrutinised.

Successful nominees and their nominators will be invited to an awards ceremony, hosted by Baroness Cox, at the Palace of Westminster on 29 January.

The deadline for nominations, which are free, is 31 October.