The Oxford Mail has teamed up with FOX FM in the search to find Oxfordshire's unsung heroes.

We have joined forces to find six extraordinary people in our county who deserve to be named this year's FOX FM Local Heroes -- and we need your help.

Previous winner childminder Kim Griffiths

Oxford Mail editor Jim McClure said: "We try to never miss applauding local heroes in the Oxford Mail, so supporting FOX FM's Local Heroes not only makes sense, it's an honour and a pleasure."

Maybe you know someone who has raised thousands of pounds for charity, or provides support to people in need.

Perhaps one of your friends has done something courageous and you want everybody in Oxfordshire to know about it. Maybe YOU have done something amazing.

Last year's winners included postman Mick Jaycock, of Tiddington, who rescued Oxford Brookes University student David Walsh from a burning car.

Fred and Liz Ingram, of Saunders Road, Oxford, were honoured for 30 years of tireless work running Oxford Pensioners' Club.

Rose Taylor, of Kennington, was rewarded for raising more than £100,000 over 35 years for charity by holding coffee mornings and opening her garden to the public.

Elvis Presley impersonator Malcolm Baker, of Bicester Road, Kidlington, was praised for organising and performing at a series of variety shows in aid of charities, including Helen House and Douglas House hospices.

A special award went to Kim Griffiths for her work as a childminder. She has been looking after children for 15 years, is the chairman of the Oxford Childminders' Association and works as a volunteer leader with brownies and guides.

These are the kind of people we need you to tell us about. All you have to do is fill in a FOX FM Local Heroes entry form in the Oxford Mail -- printed below -- and send it to the address shown, to arrive no later than first post on November 5.

Winners will receive their awards in front of hundreds of people at the fifth FOX FM Local Heroes gala dinner at Oxford Thames Four Pillars Hotel, Sandford-on-Thames, on November 22.

The celebratory evening will be sponsored by the Oxford Mail, Oxfordshire Early Years Development and Childcare Partnership, and Dreweatt Neate.

It will include a five-course meal, live music and an auction to raise thousands of pounds for Charity 2002, which works on behalf of local charities.

Half the proceeds will go to children's bereavement charity See Saw, Against Breast Cancer and The Clive Project, which supports young people with dementia. The rest will be distributed to other Oxfordshire charities.

FOX FM's community relations representative Alison Hilborne said: "There are so many people in our community who really make a difference and we hope this is one way of showing them how much we all appreciate them."

There are still places available at the gala dinner, at a cost of £60 per person or £550 for a table of ten. To book, or for more information, call 01865 871000.