THERE is just one week left to make sure the most dedicated volunteers in Huntingdonshire are nominated for a Volunteering Award. The awards aim to recognise the hard work and commitment of all the people in the district who freely give up their time to h

THERE is just one week left to make sure the most dedicated volunteers in Huntingdonshire are nominated for a Volunteering Award.

The awards aim to recognise the hard work and commitment of all the people in the district who freely give up their time to help others.

In addition, the event will also highlight how rewarding volunteering can be and will encourage others to try some voluntary work.

But as there are hundreds and hundreds of people in Huntingdonshire who quietly go about their volunteering - so we need your help finding the district's unsung heroes.

The closing date for the awards, which are being run by Huntingdonshire District Council and the Hunts Forum, is Wednesday, April 18.

There are seven categories: Commitment, Impact, Innovation, Inspiration, Partnership, Young Volunteer of the Year, and Lifetime Achievement.

"These awards will give something back to the volunteers who play such a vital role in our communities," said Andy Veale, editor of The Hunts Post, which is supporting the awards.

"We believe they deserve recognition, a thank you from the people of Huntingdonshire for their efforts."

Nominating a volunteer for an award is simple. Fill in the form on this page, answer the questions and post it to Penny Litchfield, Huntingdonshire District Council, Pathfinder House, St Mary's Street, Huntingdon PE29 3TN.

Nominations are for people volunteering for voluntary and community groups in the Huntingdonshire area and will be for achievements in 2006, with the exception of the Lifetime Achievement Award.

Commitment

Volunteers who have shown true dedication, perhaps carrying out essential work with little thanks or obvious reward.

Impact

Volunteers whose work has transformed lives, environments or communities.

Innovation

Volunteers who have come up with an exciting and original way to address a need in their community.

Inspiration

Volunteers who have inspired others, perhaps overcoming personal obstacles to become role models in their communities.

Partnership

Volunteers who have successfully built partnerships across community, sector, race, culture and faith groups and used these to achieve great things.

Young Volunteer of the Year

A young person under the age of 19 who has made an outstanding contribution to his or her community through volunteering.

Lifetime Achievement Award

A person has worked without pay over a long period of time to make a difference to the lives of others, the community or environment.

A few rules

The nominee must be resident within the boundaries of Huntingdonshire and the nomination must be supported by a Huntingdonshire voluntary group or two residents of the district.