Paralympian Baroness Tanni Grey-Thompson Calls For Nominations To The vInspired National Awards

Following an incredible showcase of British togetherness, pride and charity this summer, Great Britain's greatest ever Paralympian Baroness Tanni Grey-Thompson has called for more young volunteers to be nominated and potentially recognised at this year's vInspired National Awards.

Of her support for the awards, Grey-Thompson offered “The past year has really shown us what amazing stuff volunteers can achieve. Our Olympic and Paralympic Gamesmakers helped to make a once-in- a-life-time event happen for our country. But there are thousands more un-sung young heroes working hard making equally amazing things happen for their communities every day.

“This year more than ever we need to recognise our country’s young volunteers – we’ve never had a better opportunity to inspire a new generation of community heroes. The vInspired National Awards are an amazing celebration of young volunteers. If you know a great young volunteer who could be an inspiration to others, this is the year to give them the recognition they deserve. Nominate them now!”

Joanna Mayes, 20, won the Bringing Communities Together award at the vInspired National Awards 2013, for her work with a local children’s football scheme. She has also set up her own support group for teen girls with mental health problems.

She said: “It’s been brilliant to see how proud the country is of the Olympic volunteers. It’s opened people’s eyes to how much volunteers can achieve.  I want to make sure that other young volunteers, who are doing things for their communities all year round, get the same recognition. I was so proud to win a vInspired National Award last year. You don’t volunteer to get awards, but it felt good to know that the community appreciates what I do and that, hopefully, I can inspire other young people to get involved.”

Nominations for the awards close on November 2.

The star-studded awards ceremony will take place at the world-famous Roundhouse, London in March 2013.For more information and to celebrate a great young volunteer (under 25), visit: vInspired.com/nationalawards