Do you know an unsung hero or selfless team of volunteers? Here’s your chance to give them the recognition they deserve.

The Volunteer Centre Dorset will be hosting its annual Volunteer Awards Evening next month and nominations are now open.

Centre manager, Marie Waterman said the evening aims to acknowledge the impact the thousands of volunteers working in Dorset have on their communities.

“We want to recognise the difference these volunteers make. If we didn’t have volunteers in this county, we wouldn’t be able to operate. From the time you are born until the time you die, volunteers will support you in some way either individually, in the community or improving the environment,” Mrs Waterman said.

More than 200 people will be invited to the night which has grown into the largest volunteer awards evening in the county.

“We are still looking for nominations and we are especially keen for organisations to nominate volunteer teams they feel deserve recognition and organisation that have young people volunteering,” Mrs Waterman said.

She added the centre also wanted to hear from businesses whose employees had made a difference in the community through ‘employee volunteering’.

This year’s categories are:

  • Young volunteer of the year (under 25)

  • Volunteer of the year

  • Group of the year

  • Community award for volunteering (employee volunteering)

Nominees will get the chance to attend the awards evening, held on October 24 at the Dorford Centre in Dorchester.

All volunteers will be recognised at the event and treated to a special night which includes a buffet, live music and VIP guests.

As patron of the centre Lady Emma Fellowes will be in attendance alongside Lord Julian Fellowes plus the Lord Lieutenant of Dorset and several established Dorset dignitaries.

The closing date for nominations is Monday, October 1. To nominate head to volunteeringdorset.org.uk/award+nominations, email awards@volunteeringdorset.org.uk or call the Volunteer Centre on 01305 269214.

Sponsors are also needed for the event and businesses and individuals can offer main sponsorship (£2,000), category sponsor (£250) or sponsor a table (£50). Individual donations are also welcome.

To sponsor the event contact Craig Womble by emailing c.womble@volunteeringdorset.org.uk