Through the tears and tragedy, the annual Pride of Wearside awards ceremony is always a night to remember.

And today, we are giving you the chance to ensure someone who makes you proud is part of the event.

Hundreds of you have written in to nominate people for the past two awards, but we are hoping to make this year's ceremony the biggest yet.

The Echo has teamed up with gentoo group to launch the annual awards and are looking for people who think nothing of putting others before themselves or those that succeed against the odds.

To download the Pride of Wearside nomination form click here

There are 11 categories: Sporting Achievement; Safer Community; Community Group; Role Model; Fundraiser of the Year; Neighbour of the Year; Teacher/Lecturer of the Year; Student of the Year; Child of Achievement; Child of Courage; Parent/Guardian of the Year.

The winner of each category will receive a trophy and £200. They will be presented with their awards at a glittering ceremony at the Stadium of Light on November 19.

Peter Walls, gentoo chief executive, said: "This year's Pride of Wearside awards is even bigger and better, with more awards to celebrate the outstanding achievements of individuals and groups from across the city.

"As one of the city's largest employers and an organisation that is working right across Sunderland, we take our role within the community very seriously.

"We are delighted to be able to work with the Sunderland Echo again to organise this event and reward those Wearsiders who go the extra mile."

Echo editor Rob Lawson said: "The Echo is proud to be part of the Pride of Wearside. The awards ceremony is always a highlight of the year.

It's an emotional night, but the stories that come from it are also truly inspirational.

"The awards are a chance to give people who would normally go unrecognised the praise they are due. We want to hear about people who have made a difference, no matter how big or small the act."

One of the biggest awards is the Child of Courage category. Last year, judges couldn't decide on one winner, so three children were handed the trophy.

Among them was little battler Evie Wears whose beaming smile stole the hearts of everybody in the room.

The youngster of Redshank Close, Washington, refuses to be beaten by the heart defect that threatened her life.

Since she was born, the tot has been in and out of hospital and underwent major life-saving surgery aged just five weeks.Last year, she needed another operation at Newcastle's Freeman Hospital to correct four defects in her tiny heart.But her struggle cannot dim her smile – Evie manages to brighten up every room she enters.

Speaking about last year's ceremony, mum Jan said: "It was wonderful, it was lovely at the awards. And we didn't even know about them until Evie was nominated.

"It was such a wonderful night. It was lovely to see what other people have done and see them get recognition."

She added: "Her brother James had a lovely time as well and he was so
proud of his sister.

"Evie's just doing absolutely great. She's still tiny, even though she's two-and-a-half now. She's in the terrible twos at the moment but she's lovely."

Evie's family had hoped their problems would be over after the her surgery, but she is still suffering from a mystery condition that makes her turn blue. But Jan says she's hoping new tests will provide some answers.

"She's had a couple of sleep tests at the Freeman Hospital in Newcastle and we're going back at the end of the month, so hopefully we'll get some results."

The other children of courage last year were 13-year-old Matthew Ragsdale who, despite being born with a condition that means he is unable to walk or talk, still manages to communicate with – and inspire – those around him.

Danica Green was also awarded after her plight touched the hearts of people across the city.

The 12-year-old had to have her right leg amputated after the hit-and-run crash that killed her cousin, Paula Stead, but has remained brave throughout.

Other winners last year included rapping chemistry teacher Amer Sheikh.

He was awarded a Teacher of the Year award for proving an inspiration both inside and outside the classroom with his work to promote equality and diversity.

The Thornhill School teacher and his hip-hop troupe The Word have used rap to bring their anti-racism message to more than 25,000 young people all over the country – winning national recognition from the Home Office.

Read more in today's Echo