A final rallying call has been issued today, to encourage individuals and organisations to enter the Suffolk Community Awards.
Nominations for this year’s awards close on Sunday 16th July at Midnight, before a panel of judges then get to work on making their selections.
A partnership approach, delivered by Community Action Suffolk, Suffolk County Council and Suffolk Association of Local Councils, the Suffolk Community Awards recognise and celebrate those who have improved the quality of life for a community in Suffolk.
This year, a total of 16 categories are available for entry.
These range from Most Active Town to Outstanding Contribution to Volunteering, and The Anne Dunford OBE Award for Youth Participation.
New this year is a special accolade acknowledging the work of the faith sector.
Named ‘The Faith Award’ it will be awarded to an individual or organisation carrying out particularly outstanding work for a faith community.
Entries for any of the categories must be made by the awards website – Home – Suffolk Community Awards – and should be submitted no later than Sunday 16th July.
A ceremony will be held for all selected winners, at the Museum of Food in Stowmarket. This takes place on Monday 25th September and will be hosted by former BBC Radio Suffolk breakfast presenter, Mark Murphy MBE.
A great advocate for the awards, he said: “The nature of so many of our community projects, and the individuals leading them, is that more often that not, people aren’t setting out to start the initiative because they want the limelight.
“The goal is to serve the town; help an individual; fundraise for money to create transformation – but to do so relatively selflessly and humbly.
“As a result, it means it’s often quite hard reminding people of their chance to be applauded with an accolade like this.
“I would urge everyone connected with our meaningful community achievements, to get on the Suffolk Community Awards website and proactively let the judges know what great work you’re doing.”
Reiterating the sentiment from Mark, Chris Abraham, CEO of Community Action Suffolk, said: “It’s so important that as a county we are able to applaud the work of individuals and communities.
“Community Action Suffolk is delighted to again be running the awards in partnership with Suffolk County Council and SALC, and are very much looking forward to seeing the entries which come in from across the community.”
She added: “Please do have a think about the group, club, neighbourhood or local council which you really feel has made a significant difference to the Iives of others.
“Get on the website and make a nomination.”
Cllr Bobby Bennett, Cabinet Member for Equality and Communities at Suffolk County Council added: “Suffolk County Council is a partner in the Suffolk Community Awards because they shine a light on some of the remarkable people, groups, organisations and communities which make Suffolk such a great place to live.
“I encourage everyone to head over to suffolkcommunityawards.co.uk for more information and to make a nomination.”
Ben Poole, who set up the Lowestoft Boxing Academy and is a past winner, commented:
“Winning an award like this is a great way of validating the commitment you have made to people in your community.
“It recognises the work you put in, and highlights things which perhaps you feel go unnoticed at times.
“Personally, I feel that winning one of the Suffolk Community Awards was a way of cementing a legacy for myself and the organisation, and it reiterates how important the voluntary sector is to the wider community.”
To make a nomination for the Suffolk Community Awards, go to Home – Suffolk Community Awards.
The full list of categories (with sponsors listed) is:
Col Probert Award Geoffrey Probert
Ian Campbell MBE Award Ian Campbell MBE
Village Hall & Community Building Award Business Services at CAS
Andrew Towers Award Norman & Glenys Towers
Roddy Macleod Award Elizabeth Constantine
Anne Dunford OBE Award Anne Dunford OBE
Suffolk Good Neighbour Award Suffolk Community Foundation
Event Organiser Award Larking Gowen
Outstanding Contribution to Volunteering Cadent
The Faith Award Bishop Martin Seeley
SALC TOWN AND VILLAGE OF THE YEAR:
Small Village
Large Village
Town
MOST ACTIVE TOWN AND VILLAGE OF THE YEAR:
Small Village
Large Village
Town
Further information is also available by emailing [email protected]