Time is running out for the district's unsung heroes to be nominated for a prestigious award.

The Vision Awards 2005 recognise individuals and groups who have made a difference to quality of life in the Bradford district.

And with the closing date for the six categories of the awards looming, Bradford Vision are appealing for more community champions to come forward or be nominated.

Since the award was launched in June there has been a trickle of people nominated -- but Bradford Vision's Ron Miller said he hoped more people would be put forward before the closing date on September 30.

"I think people tend to leave it to the last minute, but we don't want them to leave it too late," he said.

"The award is open to any individual or organisation who is doing a great deal to promote the 2020 Vision," said Mr Miller, who said self-nomination is also accepted.

Those who have already been proposed for the awards - which will be presented at a ceremony in December - include a community worker from Keighley and a group of Bradford women whose work with deaf children has improved the lives of many families from across Yorkshire.

Community development officer Abdul Motin, 32, was nominated for an award by his brother because of his extensive work promoting inter-racial harmony within Keighley.

The father-of-three works for the Bangladesh Community Association on Kensington Street, where he helps young people to deal with a vast range of problems, including bullying, drugs and racism.

And through the association Mr Motin has also set up a successful inter-racial football team.

"Football is a great way of bringing young people together," he said.

But Mr Motin does not stop serving the community at the end of the working day - he is also heavily involved with the Keighley Interfaith Group, of which he was a founding member in 1999.

"Keighley has a very active inter-faith community and it's very successful," said Mr Motin, who also fundraises for national and international charity appeals.

"I enjoy what I do, and seeing the big difference that I can make to someone's life is what makes me carry on.

"I'm sure there are a lot of people doing far greater work than me who deserve this award," he said.

Another nomination came from a woman who promotes small charities in the area.

After reading about the Vision Awards 2005 in the Telegraph & Argus, Maureen Burns nominated workers at the Elizabeth Foundation - a charity who help deaf children under the age of five to talk and listen.

The BRI-based foundation was founded five years ago.

Centre manager Margaret Southern said she was delighted with the nomination, she said: "The foundation has done really well.

"We started off with four families, now we have about 30.

"Hopefully this nomination will raise awareness as this is a really needed service."

Nominator Mrs Burns said: "Seeing the children's faces light up when they communicate with the centre staff is a joy.

"The staff are wonderful, they always ensure that everything that can be done for the children and their families gets done.

"The children get so much out of it, and so do their families."

Judges will decide in November which nominations will receive an award.

Mr Miller said he hoped Bradford businesses would help charities and community groups in attending the ceremony.

"We want to encourage businesses and communities to work more closely together, and this would be one way of promoting this," he said.

Categories include: The 2020 Vision Award, Neighbourhood Renewal, Active Citizenship, Young Citizen, Business Supporting Communities and Voluntary Service.

To nominate a group or individual telephone the Vision Awards Co-ordinator on (01274) 435480 or download a nomination form on www.bradfordvision.com.