The Volunteering Oscars have been initiated by the Mayor of Harrogate Coun John Fox, who has made the theme of his mayoral year 'Year of the Volunteer', to pay tribute to the huge contribution that so many people make to community life.

The awards are being supported by the Ackrill Media Group and Harrogate and Ripon Volunteer Centres and people can be nominated from throughout the Harrogate district.

The Mayor said: "I am inviting organisations, groups or individuals to participate in this great thank-you event for volunteers. Through the Volunteer Centres we are asking groups from throughout the Borough to nominate volunteers for this awards celebration. Our very own 'Oscars' for those who volunteer in the Borough of Harrogate.

"Thousands of people volunteer in the Borough of Harrogate every week, helping organisations achieve their purpose. They help and support in many different ways, doing jobs big and small, all of which are so important in making a difference, and now is the time to say a huge thank you to all these willing volunteers."

The awards will be made at a celebration evening which be held at the Swallow St George Hotel, Ripon Road, Harrogate at 6.30pm on Friday, November 7. Shortlisted nominees will be invited to bring a friend with them to celebrate volunteering in the Borough and to find out who has won the awards.

Readers can nominate anyone in the Harrogate district, including Ripon, Knaresborough, Nidderdale, Pateley Bridge, Masham and Boroughbridge.

The awards will be publicised in all Ackrill Media Group titles in the Harrogate district – Harrogate Advertiser, Knaresborough Post, Ripon Gazette, Nidderdale Herald.