SALE Rotary Club has launched this year’s nominations to find the area’s outstanding ‘unsung hero’.

Its annual ‘Tom Morris Community Award’ is a ‘people’s honour’ for someone who gives dedicated community service because they believe in what they do and go the extra mile to help make Sale a better place to live.

Named after distinguished former Sale Rotarian, the late Tom Morris, the framed award names each year’s winner and they also receive a cash award and certificate.

Last year the first winner was Simon Youd – an FA coach who crosses the line between sport and life skills with a community scheme that is changing the face and the future of the area around the Sale West estate.

Simon, with his daughter and a handful of volunteers, runs ‘Skillz FC’, a life-changing multi-skills programme that delivers sport-based sessions for all sections of Sale West – from primary school children to the over 50s and unemployed residents alike.

But there was another shortlisted nomination that was so strong that Sale Rotary decided to award an additional commendation to Greg Hawkins, chairman of Trafford MV Rugby Football and Cricket Club, who has dedicated himself to local sport over the last 25 years.

“But Simon and Greg’s awards were not all about sport,” says Sale Rotary president Gareth Trehearn. “They were about helping people to build self-esteem, motivation, confidence, outlook, attitudes and life-skills that are changing the future of Sale and making it a better place to live.

“This year’s winner could be from any area of local life.” Nominations will close at the end of July. For a nomination form send an e-mail to grahamking@btinternet.com.