We are again looking for the borough's unsung heroes, as we launch Croydon Champions 2013.

The awards were launched by the Croydon Guardian in 2001, and aim to find Croydon's true heroes.

The awards, now in their 12th year, highlight the incredible stories of the borough's residents who do extraordinary things to help others.

These special people sometimes get little or no public recognition for what they have done.

The aim of the Croydon Champions Awards is to give them the limelight they deserve.

In 12 years, we have had over 1,200 nominations, and awarded well over 100 awards across our ten categories.

As nominations come in over the coming months, we will be highlighting the incredible stories of the borough's residents in the pages of our newspaper and on our website, Croydonguardian.co.uk.

Nominees will then be shortlisted ahead of an awards ceremony at the end of the year.

Since Croydon Champions was created, thousands of people have attended our awards ceremonies.

Last year's ceremony at the Hilton Hotel off Purley Way saw talented performers from the Brit School entertain nominees and their guests, sponsors, and community leaders.

We are hoping this year's awards will be bigger and better than ever.

We want to help celebrate Croydon's true heroes, and need your help telling us about the amazing things people are doing.

So if you know someone who you think deserves to be a Croydon Champion, please get in touch.

You can nominate here croydonguardian.co.uk/croydonchampions or by filling in the nomination form in the Croydon Guardian newspaper.

For more information contact Kate Price at kprice@london.newsquest.co.uk or on 02087226422.