Say thank you with community awards

Now in their third year, the awards give people in Luton the opportunity to nominate individuals, community groups and businesses for public recognition for all their hard work.

Sponsored by Luton law firm Pictons, the awards will take place at Venue Central on November 2.

Last year the awards raised money for the Luton & Dunstable Hospital’s neo-natal intensive care unit (NICU), and this year it will be supporting two causes, Keech Hospice Care and a social regeneration programme in Malawi.

The judges for this year’s event include Luton Borough Council leader Hazel Simmons, council chief executive Trevor Holden, Luton’s MPs Kelvin Hopkins and Gavin Shuker, the chair of Luton’s primary care trust, Gurch Randhawa, Active Luton chief executive Helen Barnett, Luton police commander Mike Colbourne, University of Bedfordshire development manager Greg White and Luton Culture chief executive Maggie Appleton. Herald&Post news editor Sally-Anne Stewart is also a judge.

The categories include the concern award, young hero, charity champion, service with a smile, community business of the year, role model of the year, exceptional achievement award and community project of the year.

Other categories are community arts award, Our Luton award, greener living, lifetime achievement, carer of the year, volunteer of the year, teacher of the year and the Mayor’s award. Nominate online at www.communityluton.co.uk or pick up a form from the Herald&Post offices in Upper George Street.