Each year, the Lord-Lieutenant celebrates the achievements of young people across the city and county.

People in Leicester and Leicestershire are being urged to nominate inspiring young people in their communities for this year's Lord-Lieutenant's Award.

The award scheme is open to all 13 to 19 year olds. Nominations can be made by other young people, their school, parent or carer, as well as any other agency or individual.

As always, the categories for this year celebrate the very best examples of effort and achievement. People can nominate for Young Braveheart, Young Volunteer, Young Leader and Young Artist ( The Joe Humphries Memorial Award).

Lord-Lieutenant of Leicestershire, Michael Kapur OBE, said: "I am delighted to formally open the nominations for the 2020 Lord-Lieutenant's Awards and announce a new category for this year – Young Leader."

"As ever, the award categories highlight bravery, creativity, strength of spirit and selflessness – which can inspire us all in Leicester and Leicestershire. The new category will, I hope showcase young people who have motivated and inspired those around them by leading a project or a change for the better, overcoming obstacles and bringing people together."

"I am really looking forward to hearing about the remarkable efforts of our amazing young people and their outstanding endeavours. As Lord-Lieutenant I am privileged to meet so many fantastic young people and so I'm convinced that competition will be stronger than ever."

You can nominate a young person for recognition in the following categories:

• Young Braveheart
• Young Volunteer
• Young Leader
• *Young Artist ( The Joe Humphries Memorial Award)

This year's Leicestershire Lord Lieutenant's Awards for young people once again includes the *Young Artist of the Year category - The Joe Humphries Memorial Award - to be given to a young person who has demonstrated real skill, innovation, and expression in:

> visual arts
> expressive arts
> literature, or music

This particular award provides a fantastic showcase to raise the profile and celebrate the artistic talents of young people from both the city and county who are fittingly recognised by Lord Lieutenant of Leicester and Leicestershire, Michael Kapur OBE.

The finalists and their parents will be invited to a special 'red carpet' awards evening and dinner to be held in April this year hosted by the Lord-Lieutenant.

Josh Welford, who won the Young Person of the Year 2019 and was the Young Braveheart of the Year category winner said: "I didn't really expect to win, to be honest, there's so many other people that have done such great things that you don't exactly hope for it, but when you get given it, it's mad! Don't give up, look for the bigger picture, because in the end it'll come good, you've just got to wait for it."

The closing date for this year's nominations is 16 February 2020.

To find out more about the awards or to nominate a young person visit www.leicestershire.gov.uk/llawards