Olympic hero nominated for our awards

SCOTLAND'S gong mad for our Bighearted awards - and Olympic hero Chris Hoy is the FIRST to be nominated!

The two-wheeled gladiator is thrilled at the prospect of boosting his impressive honours collection with an award for Bighearted Sports Person of the Year.

He became Sir Chris last week, receiving a knighthood to add to his four Olympic golds and BBC Sports Personality of the Year gong.

And last night the Edinburgh athlete said: "It's a great honour to be nominated for Bighearted Scotland.

"The status of the award is reflected in Tommy Burns winning it posthumously last year.

"For a cyclist to be considered is another great boost for the sport."

Scores of News of the World readers nominated the 33-year-old for his performance at the velodrome - and for charities.

A crash at the World Cup in Copenhagen in February gave him a hip injury that's kept him off the track, but not out of action.

As well as getting engaged to Sarra Kemp, 29, Sir Chris has been visiting children in schools and hospitals, speaking out about drug cheats in sport.

He has raised tens of thousands for Cancer Research UK, and fronted the Scottish Association of Mental Health's Get Active campaign, urging Scots to do more exercise as a way of beating the blues.

On top of that he is backing the NSPCC's Big Bike Ride initiative.

And on August 23, he will head hundreds of cyclists for Glasgow's Skyride - a Sky TV and British Cycling scheme to get a million more people cycling in the next five years.

Sir Chris said: "Without a doubt, charity work is close to my heart, and if my success can help others that gives me great satisfaction."

Our postbag has been BURSTING with names of unsung heroes who have helped people and communities, overcome hardship or carried out acts of bravery.

And last night Bighearted Scotland boss Ellenor Ferguson encouraged readers to name more people who deserve an award. She said: "Sir Chris Hoy is a very worthy nominee. He is a fantastic athlete and an excellent ambassador for Scotland.

"These awards are also about recognising the unsung heroes and people who help others every day and who may not have received any public recognition.

"I urge Scottish News of the World readers to think about the people they know who are doing good deeds, and who deserve some public acknowledgement, and to put their names forward."

Our search has just begun so there is still plenty of time for YOU to nominate.

You can fill in the nomination form in this week's Scottish News of the World, or nominate your choice at bigheartedscotland.org

Categories are Bighearted Scot of the Year, Child of the Year, Carer, Fundraiser, Sports Person, Business Person and Entertainer.

The winners will be announced at a star-studded celebration hosted by BBC Sportscene presenter Dougie Vipond in Glasgow's plush Marriott Hotel on September 4. And gongs will be presented by First Minister Alex Salmond.

So get thinking - it's down to you!

The Bighearted Scotland charities are: Alcohol Focus Scotland, CLIC Sargent, Epilepsy Scotland, Momentum, Penumbra and Scottish Native Woods.

Don't forget, you can vote online by clicking bigheartedscotland.org

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