A WORLD-record holding adventurer will talk about his experiences of running across Canada dressed as superhero The Flash at the awards ceremony for the Worcester News Worcestershire Education Awards.

Jamie McDonald, who is also an author and motivational speaker, has taken on a series of challenges after wanting to say thank you to the hospitals who helped him when he was ill as a child.

Mr McDonald spent the first nine years of his life in and out of hospitals with a rare spinal condition known as syringomyelia, combined with a weak immune system and epilepsy.

He was treated at Gloucestershire Royal Hospital and Great Ormond Street Children's Hospital and chose to support the hospitals when he took on his first challenge to cycle 14,000 miles from Bangkok to Gloucester.

He later secured a place in the Guinness Book of Records by cycling on an exercise bike for more than 11 days.

Mr McDonald will inspire guests at the glittering gala dinner in June, where the winners of our awards will be announced.

We have teamed up with the University of Worcester to create the Worcester News Worcestershire Education Awards as a way to celebrate the hard work, quality, passion and dedication that exist in our nurseries, schools and colleges - as well as in the wider communities.

People can be nominated in a series of categories including Early Years Education, Primary School of the Year, Secondary School of the Year and College or Post-18 Education and Training Provider.

Nominations are also open for Special Education Needs, Fit for Life, Community Involvement, Headteacher of the Year, Teacher of the Year, Newcomer of the Year, Support Staff of the Year and Unsung Hero.

Nominations are open until Friday, April 7.

All Worcestershire government-funded and independent private educational settings have been asked to nominate those people they feel are most worthy of the awards.

However, anyone who has contact with schools or community groups can nominate, whether that be parents, employers working with schools, governors or even pupils themselves.

Once nominated, all entries will be assessed by a panel of judges before a shortlist is created.

Three finalists per category will be invited to the awards ceremony in June.

For more information about making a nomination visit worcesternews.co.uk/educationawards/nominate.