INTERVIEW Let’s celebrate Britain’s

and was my Mum’s friend as well and would take her to hospital visits. She’s a very positive person and when I met her I thought ‘That’s what you want in your life.’”

Nominations are now open for this year’s awards and Carol launched the search for the nation’s unsung heroes with an appearance on Good Morning Britain alongside Rhea Khan, who was named Good Morning Britain’s Young Fundraiser Of The Year at the awards last year.

Carol also waved off a Mini-driving team on a 1,000 mile road trip around the UK in a bid to seek out the most inspirational stories they can find.

This year has already seen tragic events in Manchester, Westminster and London Bridge and the Grenfell Tower fire, but there have also been stories of incredible spirit and courage, especially among the emergency services.

“It is inspiring to hear the stories,” says 56-year-old Carol. “Stephen Sutton (the teenage cancer patient who raised millions for the Teenage Cancer Trust before his death in 2014) won a posthumous award and his story deeply moved people.

“It does not matter, though, if you raise a few thousand pounds or millions. It’s all about the person.

“I have learned that winners share two things – an incredible, selfless desire to help others, and unbelievable modesty about what they have done.

“This is why we need you to tell us about your unsung heroes and nominate them so they get the recognition they deserve. It takes just five minutes and we want to hear about these people who do extraordinary things but don’t realise how extraordinary they are. We are to find them and tell their amazing stories.”