PAST and present Knutsford Community Heroes are urging members of the community to submit their entries for this year’s competition.

Kane Gunter and Val Bryant, now proud members of the judging panel, told the Guardian what it meant for them to win.

Kane, winner of the 2012 Knutsford Community Hero title, said: “Winning the award was one of those moments when you say to yourself ‘oh I don’t deserve this, surely there is a mistake’, you just get on with it and don’t really think of a reward.

“So to get recognition like this was a really proud moment, I felt very privileged to have even been nominated.”

Kane’s nominated charity was the Royal Signals Benevolent Fund and he used his personal winnings to help set up his own CCTV installation business.

Val Bryant, the current holder of the Knutsford Community Hero title, said: “I was really surprised to receive the award and it made me feel very proud to be involved with the Knutsford community and the Heritage Centre.”

Val donated both her personal winnings and the £500 for charity to the Heritage Centre to help with promoting the centre. The donation also helped the centre buy much-needed equipment to help it achieve Museum Accreditation.

Colin Lawson, managing partner of Equilibrium Asset Management, said: “Kane and Val have both put a lot of time into the Knutsford community over the years in their own unique way.

“Now we want you to help us find this year’s winner. We want to hear about someone who makes a difference to you or to the community.”

Nominating your Community Hero is simple.

Fill in your details on a blank sheet of paper and send it, along with 250 words on why you believe your nominee should be crowned Community Hero 2014, to the Knutsford Guardian, 5-6 Theatre Court, London Road, Northwich, CW9 5HB.

You can also email nominations to hero@rmspr.co.uk.

Remember, you could win £100 just for making a nomination and there’s no age limit on who you can nominate.