Countdown begins to Great Scot Awards 2008

May 18 2008 By Heather Greenaway

TODAY we launch the search for Scotland's unsung heroes - including our 18th Great Scot.

To nominate an unsung hero, go to www.greatscotawards.co.uk

Previous winners of our top award come from all walks of life but were all inspirational.

Individuals such as Scott Muir, our youngest winner at 13. The schoolboy, of East Kilbride, is the only one in his family to have hearing and devotes himself to his deaf mum, dad and two brothers.

And groups such as the people of Dunblane, who were given a collective award for their courage in the wake of the massacre at their local school.

And last year's Glasgow Airport heroes, the brave men who helped foil the first ever terrorist attack on Scottish soil.

Scotland is so jam-packed full of heroes we are giving our readers 75 days to get their nominations in for our awards, which this year celebrate their 18th birthday.

Do you know someone, who has worked tirelessly for years without any recognition or has made great sacrifices? Then this is your chance to honour them.

People like mountaineer Jamie Andrew, who raised thousands of pounds for the Red Cross as the first quadruple amputee to run the London Marathon.

Or plastic surgeon Jack Mustarde, who set up West Africa's first plastic surgery centre in Ghana.

Our judging panel will select four of your nominees to be presented with Unsung Hero awards, while one special winner will be crowned Great Scot 2008 at a glittering ceremony in the Glasgow Hilton on September 20.

We also need your help to choose the top Scots who made a contribution in the fields of sport, business and entertainment.

There is also a lifetime achievement award and a community award, backed by our title sponsors Morrisons.

The supermarket giant is supporting the Great Scots for the fourth year and you can also nominate at any one of their Scottish stores.

David Gardner, Morrisons Director in Scotland, said: "At Morrisons we are committed to supporting local communities and giving to good causes.

"Great Scot is so important because everyone can be involved and nominate those remarkable Scots who really do make a difference.

"The Sunday Mail Great Scot Awards are truly one of the standout occasions in the Scottish calendar and we are very proud to be associated with such an important awards scheme for the fourth consecutive year."

You can also nominate by filling in the coupon opposite or by going to our website www.greatscotawards.co.uk Tickets for the event can be booked on our hotline 0141 309 1438.