Do you know someone who has made a difference in your community?

Nominations have opened for the BBC Radio Lincolnshire Make a Difference Award - a chance to celebrate people who are going above and beyond to make a difference where you live.

The awards are a chance to say "Thank You" and show recognition and appreciation for people who love to make life better for others. Active Lincolnshire are encouraging sports clubs, leisure centres, physical activity providers, community groups and members of the community to put forward their nominations for this prestigious local award.

Ian Brown, Active Lincolnshire's Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Manager said: "We have seen so many community projects and acts of support and kindness among our community over the past two years. Without you, many people would have been without the support they needed during the pandemic, and still need today.

"From the Tackling Inequalities projects run by volunteers that filled the county with inclusive opportunities, to the recent fundraisers we've seen in support of the war in Ukraine, we know there are many individuals and groups that are very deserving of the nominations."

'Make a Difference' was first set up at the start of the first lockdown in 2020 and is a virtual notice board for those offering help and those needing support. To date, more than eight million people have interacted across all 39 local BBC radio stations, including BBC Radio Lincolnshire.

There are eight categories in which you can nominate people who you think have made a real difference this year, and the nominee can be of any age. The categories are:

Volunteer Award

Awarded to an individual who makes a real difference to the community by giving up their time voluntarily to help out a charity or good cause.

Community Group Award

Awarded to a group of people who have helped to genuinely change the lives of others within the community.

Fundraiser Award

Awarded to an individual or group of people who have gone the extra mile to raise funds for a charity or good cause.

Carer Award

Awarded to someone who improves the life of an individual or group of people by caring for them on a regular basis.

Great Neighbour Award

Awarded to an individual or group of people who help to make the neighbourhood or local community a better place to live or work, either on a regular basis or through a single act of kindness.

Key Worker Award

Awarded to a key worker who has gone above and beyond their call of duty to help others.

Environmental Award

Awarded to an individual or group of people who help to make where we live more environmentally friendly.

The Together Award

Awarded to an individual or group of people who create real change by breaking down barriers and bringing together people from different walks of life for a common cause.

Nominations for the BBC Radio Lincolnshire Make a Difference awards close on Friday 29th April 2022 at 11pm, and sitting on the judging panel will be Lincolnshire Police Assistant Chief Constable Kerrin Wilson and local actor Colin McFarlane.

Michael Hortin, organiser of the BBC Radio Lincolnshire 'Make a Difference' awards said: "Through the pandemic, and with the response to the war in Ukraine, we have seen how generous and supportive people in Lincolnshire are.

"So it is great that through the 'Make a Difference Award' we can celebrate what people in the county are doing for each other."