A UCLan student is up against Gandalf in a national award organised by the Lesbian and Gay Foundation.

Sam Whalley, left, receiving her NUS LGBT Student of the Year award.

Neuropsychology student Sam Whalley, who is the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) rep on the Students’ Union’s council, has been nominated alongside Sir Ian McKellen for the ‘Homo Hero Awards 2011’.

Sam has also been voted LBT Student of the Year at the National Union of Students’ awards this year.

She said: “I’m completely speechless about being nominated. It is quite amazing to be up against Sir Ian McKellen!

“I’ve done a lot of work this year with UCLan LGBT society and I am the LGBT Student of the Year too which has built me a lot of kudos and helped me meet a lot of people who were the ones who nominated me.

The award aims to recognise the people, groups and organisations who are making a difference to lesbian, gay and bisexual people and their lives.

Winners will be announced during a ceremony on Thursday September 22 at the Mint Hotel, Manchester.

“At UCLan this year I set up Project Proud which is an initiative for both LGBT and straight students to talk about what they are proud about.

“I also helped develop the M and M mentoring LGBT service which I’m really proud of too,” Sam added.

“I think my nomination says a lot about Preston as a community and how far we have come. This nomination isn’t just for me, it’s for the whole community.”

Voting closes at 10am on Wednesday September 7 and you can vote for Sam at https://www.lgf.org.uk/surveys/index.php?sid=72667&lang=en.