A PASSIONATE teacher, fundraising teenager and a man who goes the extra mile to help the bereaved are just some of the nominations coming into the Journal for this year's Pride in the Community Awards.

A PASSIONATE teacher, fundraising teenager and a man who goes the extra mile to help the bereaved are just some of the nominations coming into the Journal for this year's Pride in the Community Awards.

George Ling has been nominated as Employee of the Year by Liz Chapman, who has worked closely with him since the opening of Rosedale Funeral Home in Upper Olland Street, Bungay, nearly four years ago. “To say he goes the extra mile is not doing him justice. He will run people to the registrar's, doctor's and is always there with the kettle on when families visit,” said Liz.

“He is so obliging and easy to work alongside and makes my sometimes difficult job much easier to cope with.”

George recently had a major operation, and Liz said she acted as secretary of the “fan club who called everyday to see how he was.

Lora Meredith thinks Lowestoft singing sensation Lily-Jane Hales (below) should be named Inspirational Child of the Year for raising funds for children who are sick. The 13-year-old has made �600 for East Anglia's Children's Hospices and the James Paget University Hospital children's ward by making a CD of popular music. She now hopes to make a classical CD to raise more money despite herself suffering from post-viral fatigue. Lora said: “Lily is a teenager making a difference. She does what she can for others, she is kind and compassionate; a lovely young woman. And I would love to see her strengths recognised.”

In Joanna Gorringe's eyes, Sue Edmunds, of Dell Primary School in Lowestoft, embodies the perfect combination in a teacher: traditional values, passion for her job and care for her pupils.

When Joanna's daughter broke her leg in December, Sue arranged for extra help in getting her to school with her wheelchair and made sure she didn't miss out on anything, including the school trip.

Joanna said that, although her son James found classwork difficult, Sue had made sure he had caught up to the same level as Sophie. “Mrs Edmunds is focused, firm, yet friendly and fantastic. We cannot thank her enough,” she said.

The awards will be held at Pleasurewood Hills, the sponsor, on Tuesday, July 7. A buffet and drinks reception will be held at the theme park and all guests will be treated to an exclusive showing of the summer circus and tango show. Awards will be presented by Lowestoft Journal editor Russell Cook and Pleasurewood Hills manager Yves Delhommeau.

The essence of Pride in the Community is to recognise and reward unsung heroes, and we need you to tell us who they are. They are the sorts of people who never actively seek publicity but who make a huge difference to people's lives.

Perhaps you have a family member, friend or colleague who you think fits the criteria of one of our categories?

It could be a star employee, a first-class business figure or budding entrepreneur. Or perhaps you have in mind a community hero, inspirat-ional child or kind neighbour?

Whatever the case, we want to know about them so we can thank them for all they do for others and for their comm-unity. All shortlisted entrants will be contacted by the end of June and are invited with members of their family to the awards ceremony.

To nominate someone, fill in the entry form with the category of your choice together with your name, address, daytime telephone number and, if possible, a recent photograph of that person. Include on a separate piece of paper why you think the person you are putting forward has pride in their community. Entries close on June 15 at 5pm.