A FULL-time employee and mother with more than 30 years' voluntary experience is the latest 'heart of gold' whose name has been put forward for this year's Wirral Volunteer of The Year Award.

The woman has been an active member of St John's Ambulance since 1969, and fulfilled many roles within the organisation, including those of fund-raiser and trainer of younger members. Her nominators believe she fully deserves the award because her work has benefited so many young people.

The prestigious annual Volunteer of the Year Award, organised by Wirral Council for Voluntary Service (CVS) and sponsored by NatWest Bank, gives members of the public a unique chance to acknowledge the selfless work of others.

But you do need to hurry! Time is running out - there are just three weeks until the deadline for nominations, Friday, April 27.

Nominations for each of the categories are flowing in, although the organisers are calling for more nominations for this year's specialist category - a person (or people) responsible for starting a new organisation or group.

This category award will be presented to a person/persons who have seen a need in the community and done something about it by forming a new group or organisation. The dedicated individual or people will have devoted much precious time and commitment to these new projects.

The organisers, who are also calling for more nominations for volunteers in the aged 25 or under category, strongly advise people to make sure they nominate their 'hearts of gold' in plenty of time.

Brian Cummings, Wirral CVS chairman, said: "As 2001 is designated the International Year Of Volunteers, I would urge the Wirral public not to miss this opportunity to say a simple 'thank you' to those who give so much either to a community or an individual. Your nomination counts - please don't sit by and do nothing. You could be putting forward the name of this year's overall winner."

Just who that person will be will not be revealed until a special presentation ceremony at the Pacific Road Arts & Exhibition Centre, Birkenhead, on Thursday, June 7.

The Award has six categories: Unemployed; Employed (for volunteering in their own time); Younger Person (under 25); Older Person (over 65); Disabled Person; and the special category.

Metropolitan Borough of Wirral Sports Development Unit is joining in the celebrations and to show their appreciation of the valuable contribution made by volunteers, are donating prizes.

Nomination forms are available from the Globe offices in Catherine Street, Birkenhead, and local community and leisure centres. For more information, or help in completing any part of the application, contact Angela or Tony at the Volunteer Development Agency at Wirral CVS on 647-5432.