WITH just over a week to go before the closing date, nominations are still arriving daily for this year's Wirral Volunteer of the Year Award.

Organised by Wirral Council for Voluntary Service (CVS), based in Hamilton Square, Birkenhead, the coveted annual Award is supported, among others, by Wirral Borough Council.

Now in its 13th year, the Award aims to salute those whose voluntary work often goes unnoticed.

With that in mind, Angela Green, of Wirral CVS, has issued a last-minute appeal urging people to nominate their own unsung hero' before the closing date of Friday week (May 23) . . .

"We want to hear from as many people as possible - if you know of someone who contributes voluntarily for the good of others, we want to hear from you," she said.

"This is a wonderful chance for people to salute the voluntary efforts of those who do so much for their own particular community."

She also has made an 11th hour appeal for more entries, in particular, for this year's specialist category - for volunteers supporting people with benefits and housing issues.

"The response to the other categories has been tremendous," said Angela, "but we could do with more nominations for the specialist category."

What makes the Wirral Volunteers of the Year Award so special to those who have won it in the past is that the winner is nominated by you - the public.

The Globe has strongly supported the Award ever since its inception in 1995, since when each year the Wirral public has been invited to put forward their own heart of gold' - men and women, boys and girls who selflessly contribute to their local community.

Among the latest names to be put forward is a volunteer who has helped to raise about £5,000 to raise much-needed funds through countless events for Radio Clatterbridge - the hospital radio station based at the hospital complex in Bebington.

"He was the driving force behind our new building, which was converted from the old hospital laundry," states his nominator. "He was integral to us becoming a 24-hour station with high quality automated programming supplementing live shows.

"He has had a tremendous positive influence - a fantastic ambassador who has built relationships with not just Trust management but also the regional Hospital Broadcasting Association and Clatterbridge Hospital League of Friends.

"He is always upbeat - a force for good and commands the utmost respect."

Also nominated is a man who has done a lot of fundraising for Marie Curie. "He has organised an evening charity cruise on the River Dee at Chester, has been to Nepal, on charity walks and organised charity auctions and bag packed at supermarkets.

"His work benefits anybody who has cancer and needs the help of Marie Curie."

The current holder of the title is Catherine Hawkins, a voluntary worker on Birkenhead's Beechwood Estate.

This year's awards will be announced at a presentation evening at The Life Centre, Old Chester Road, Bebington, on Wednesday, July 16.

There are six categories (listed below) from which the overall Wirral Volunteer of the Year will be chosen.

Nomination forms are available from Wirral CVS, 46 Hamilton Square, Birkenhead, all Wirral libraries, community centres, and the Globe offices in Hinson Street, Birkenhead.

The six categories for this year's Wirral Volunteer of the Year Award:- 1: Unwaged 2: Employed (for volunteering in their own time) 3: Younger Person (Under 25) 4: Older Person (Over 65) 5: Disabled Person 6: Specialist Category - for volunteers supporting people with benefits and housing issues.