SIMON Laurens said the Gloucestershire Media Sports Awards helped raise the profile of disability sports last year.

Laurens, from Birdlip, was a double-medal winning Para Dressage rider at the 2008 Beijing Games.

And he won the Disability Sports Person of the Year in our inaugural awards at a gala presentation evening at Cheltenham Racecourse last November.

The same category is part of this year's awards, and we are keen to hear about people who have shown real passion and achievement at any age – or who have provided opportunities for people with disabilities to take part in sport.

Laurens said: "Winning the award last year was a huge honour and a big surprise.

"I didn't think people took too much notice of paralympic sport, so it was nice to have it recognised and involved in the awards."

After his success in Beijing two years ago, Laurens is to be rider representative for the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

He will be consulted as the Greenwich Park site is prepared for the games to ensure it meets the requirements and needs of paralympian equestrians.

This would mean he would advise on issues such as ramps and accessibility to ensure athletes can get to places on time.

In the past year, he has also qualified for the National Dressage Championships in the para dressage and is about to take part in the able-bodied regional championship to qualify through that route as well.

The Disability Sports Person of the Year Award is sponsored by Hartpury Sport.

Sue Knight, from Hartpury Sport, said they had a long association with riding for the disabled.

She said: "We recently hosted the RDA Championships and on a regular basis also play host to many local RDA groups who use our excellent equestrian facilities."

There are 10 categories in our sports awards and you can nominate using the form here.

■ Sports Personality of the Year, sponsored by BPE Solicitors

■ Professional Sports Personality of the Year

■ Young Sports Personality of the Year (Under 18 years)

■ Junior Club of the Year, sponsored by Aspire

■ Senior Club of the Year

■ Official of the Year

■ Coach of the Year

■ Disability Sports Person of the Year sponsored by Hartpury Sport

■ Sports Teacher of the Year

■ Outstanding Services to Sport