The Lancashire Telegraph is showing support for this year’s Community Volunteer Awards by becoming the media partner sponsor.

The annual awards, now in their fifth year, celebrate the individuals and groups who do whatever they can to make life better for others in Blackburn with Darwen.

The Community Volunteer Awards are a collaboration between Blackburn with Darwen Council and Community CVS, and are sponsored by a variety of local businesses and public sector organisations.

Mark Fry, commercial partnership/ events director from Newsquest, which publishes The Lancashire Telegraph, said: “We are over the moon for the Lancashire Telegraph to be the in-kind media partner of this event.”

Garth Hodgkinson, chief executive officer of Community CVS, said: “Community CVS is here to promote and grow voluntary action. The Community Volunteer Awards are a truly fantastic way of showcasing the amazing work of volunteers and volunteer-run groups in Blackburn with Darwen.

"With the Lancashire Telegraph on board we can spread the word and hopefully receive even more nominations, highlighting how the kindness of residents, organisations, businesses and volunteers make BwD a brilliant place to live.”

Coun Phil Riley, leader of Blackburn with Darwen Council, added: “We’re grateful to the Lancashire Telegraph for coming on board with the Community Volunteer Awards. Through their support as media partner, we want to shout louder than ever about the wonderful, kind-hearted and selfless volunteers who we are proud to have in Blackburn with Darwen contributing to local life.”

Community Volunteer Awards are up for grabs across 12 categories including The Good Neighbour Award, Volunteer of the Year, an Environment Award, a Health & Wellbeing Award, and the Community Involvement Award which is open to the local business community.

Get the full list of award categories.

You can nominate people of any age who volunteer in any way in Blackburn with Darwen. It could be someone who gives their spare time for free to help out with sports clubs, someone who dedicates their time to a local charity, or someone who pitches in to keep our neighbourhoods clean and tidy. There are categories for every good deed you can think of!

It’s easy to nominate someone for the Community Volunteer Awards – you can do it online via the Community CVS website.

All you have to do is write a summary of what the individual or organisation does that makes them deserving of an award. 

Finalists will be invited to the awards night at King George's Hall on Thursday, November 2.

READ: Schoolchildren invited to get creative and make amazing centrepieces for awards night

You can also request paper nomination forms from Community CVS at the Community Hub, 35 Railway Road, Blackburn BB1 1EZ – or contact Donna Talbot on 01254 583957 or donna.talbot@communitycvs.org.uk.