A PREVIOUS winner of an annual community award is calling on people to come forward and nominate their unsung heroes for this year’s title.

Teenager Kira Mark said being honoured with the title of Young Citizen of the Year made her feel “proud” and has given her “confidence” to take on further challenges in her life.

The 16-year-old, of Northumberland Avenue, in Bury St Edmunds, was joint winner of the title with Jake Cutting in 2011.

Now in its fifth year it is organised by the Town Council as part of the St Edmund’s Day Citizen of the Year Awards. Split into three sections for 2012 it includes Citizen of the Year, Young Citizen of the Year and Best Residents’ Association of the Year, and is this being supported by the East Anglian Daily Times and its sister title the Bury St Edmunds Mercury.

Kira, who starts sixth form in September at King Edward VI School, gained the title for her work in setting up a drama group on the Mildenhall Road Estate, her volunteer work for a childrens’ holiday club at the estate’s Anselm Community Centre, and a series of other community initiatives.

She is now making plans to travel to Madagascar next year to take part in World Challenge, which provides educational expeditions in the developing world teaching life skills and expanding minds outside the classroom.

“It was wonderful to be nominated and I felt so proud to win the award. It has given me extra confidence to what I do,” she said.

“It would encourage people to make their nominations.”

Forms are available from the EADT offices in Woolhall Street, the Town Council on Angel Hill or on its website www.burystedmunds.suffolk.gov.uk. They must be returned to the council by October 3. The awards ceremony taking place on November 20.