Sandy Austen has already been nominated by two people for her outstanding work as chair of The Friends of Downs View.

The Friends of Downs View School has been established since 1992 and as a charity supports Downs View Special School for pupils with severe learning difficulties.

The committee consists of parents, carers, staff and friends and is run entirely on a voluntary basis.

Mrs Austen took over as chair in 2004 and has been responsible for organising the leavers’ proms for five years, school discos for ten years and the 2013 fundraising ball at the Amex stadium – which raised £4,000.

Sandy has also played a key role in organising runners and a collection team in the Brighton Marathon for the last four years.

Quiz nights, jumble sales and cake days have all been organised by Sandy to help raise funds for the Friends, which has enabled the school and Link College to buy minibuses, playground equipment, sensory equipment, bikes, hoists and more. Without Sandy none of this would have been possible.

Nominator Danielle Willoughby said: “Sandy’s organisational skills and her ability to inspire everyone involved is testament to her commitment to the pupils of Downs View School and the Link College.

“Sandy has devoted many hours of her own time to organising and arranging a huge variety of events, the money raised from this has enabled the Friends of Downs View to buy minibuses, playground equipment and sensory equipment, to name but a few.

“When she steps down as chair at the end of this term she will be really missed.”

LAST YEAR'S WINNER:

The Argus:

David Hills helped save a stranger’s life after a man collapsed with a heart attack.

He took instructions over the phone from medical staff and performed CPR on a man who collapsed during a game of tennis.

The keen tennis player had arranged to meet a potential newmember at Southwick Tennis Club for a practice session.

But minutes into their game, the 56-year-old novice collapsed.

Mr Hills, who is now 76, sprung into action and put him in the recovery position before calling an ambulance.

He followed instructions from a 999 operator and began to perform chest compressions.

With help from other tennis club members he battled for more than 20 minutes to keep the man alive until an ambulance arrived, saving his life.

Mr Hill’s son said: “My dad is a real hero and I’m very proud of him.

“He never seeks recognition and I am very proud that he won the award.”

The Argus: Mears logo

Tell us about your inspirational teachers, carers, volunteers and pupils.

We want to know which charity deserves recognition along with the most deserving business in the community, event, school, local hero and many more.

There are a number of ways you can have your say. You can simply fill out the online entry form.

You can also send your suggestion by email to ben.james@theargus.co.uk.

The Argus: aaa logo 2013