WHICH individual or group would you say works hard for the benefit of the community - and deserves special recognition?

Your nomination could win that person or group of people the Specialist Category prize in this year's Wirral Volunteer of the Year Award. "It could be a residents' association or a person or people who demonstrate community spirit, regenerating their locality for the good of the Borough," said Tony Sandland, of Wirral CVS, the Award organisers.

The Specialist Category is one of six categories that make up this year's Wirral Volunteer of the Year Award, with the overall winner coming from one of them.

And it is you - the public - who will decide who becomes the fourth holder of this prestigious title.

The public have until Saturday, April 25 to send in their nominations for the various categories - and the hope is that they will do so sooner rather than later.

"We hope that, like last year, people will not wait until the last minute," said Mr Sandwell. "This is a wonderful opportunity for people to salute in the most tangible way the voluntary efforts of others."

For the second successive year, the Award is being sponsored by NatWest Bank.

The Award again has six categories (listed right) from which an overall winner will be chosen. Additionally, there will be a special achievement award donated by CEWTEC.

Category winners and the overall winner will be announced at a special presentation evening at The Pyramids Shopping Centre, Birkenhead, on Thursday, June 4.

Nomination forms are available at all CVS offices, Wirral libraries, community centres and the Wirral Globe offices in Catherine Street, Birkenhead.

This year's six category awards are:-

1: Unemployed

2: Employed (for volunteering in their own time)

3: Young Person (Under-25)

4: Older Person (Over 65)

5: Disabled Person

6: Specialist Category - Community Development Award (an individual or group working to improve their community).

As well as awards, the category winners will also receive prizes which are being donated by local companies.

Each of the category winners will receive a pair of tickets to enjoy a film at Apollo 6 Cinema, Wallasey. The overall Wirral Volunteer of the Year will receive a meal for four at the Pastime Restaurant, Birkenhead.

Award organisers hope to announce more prizes shortly and express their gratitude to those companies who are supporting the Wirral Volunteer of the Year Award.

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