HERE'S your chance to honour someone who gives others a sporting chance and a top local volunteer in the Craven Community Champion Awards.

The Sport and Recreation Award recognises and celebrates those who have made an outstanding contribution to amateur sport or physical activity in Craven. For example, you might know someone who is working hard to provide tennis opportunities to the local community or working with schools to inspire the next generation of cyclists. Why not nominate them today?

Jim Lockyer won the 2013 award for his dedication and commitment to the Skipton Fencing Club, who meet every week at St Andrew's Church in Skipton. Jim has coached a wealth of talent and rising stars that have represent Great Britain at the Junior Commonwealth Games and British Youth Championships.

If you would like to nominate someone for this award, the awards panel would be interested in knowing how your nominee has:

• Motivated and inspired others to participate in physical activity

• Helped to make physical activity more accessible to everyone in their community

• Helped to promote excellence in their field of activity

• Made a positive difference to improving the well-being of residents

• Worked creatively to make the most of the resources available to them.

Broughton Hall Business Park is delighted to sponsor the Sport and Recreation Award this year. Amy Jagger, marketing co-ordinator from Broughton Hall Estate, said: “The estate is very focussed towards community and is proud to be sponsoring the Sport and Recreation Award. We like to support the people who work hard to make an outstanding contribution to the local Craven community.”

The Volunteer of the Year Award rewards an individual who has made an outstanding contribution to their community through volunteering in 2013.

In 2013, the award was given to Jean Baker, an inspirational and hardworking volunteer who was instrumental in setting up Age UK in Settle and volunteered three days a week ever since.

If you would like to nominate someone as Volunteer of the Year, the awards panel would be interested in knowing how your nominee has:

• Shown commitment to a cause or organisation

• Has acted as a role model/ambassador for volunteering

• Motivated and inspired others to get involved in their cause or organisation

• Made a positive difference and has improved the well-being of residents or a community in general.

Angus Fire, based in Bentham, has sponsored this award. Natasha McPhail, HR manager from Angus Fire said: “We are proud once again to provide sponsorship for the Craven Community Champion Award 2014 in respect of the Volunteer of the Year Award.This is an great opportunity for Angus Fire Ltd to recognise the valuable efforts and personal contributions that are made locally within the Craven community area. Volunteers who actively contribute to their community should feel a great sense of achievement from their hard work and by supporting the Volunteer of the Year Award, the much needed efforts of our local volunteers will not go unnoticed.”

If you know of an organisation or individual you think should win one of the awards or if you would like to nominate yourself, complete a nomination form by 5pm 5th September 2014. Nomination forms are available from the Craven District Council website www.cravendc.gov.uk/communitychampions and from any Craven library or doctor’s surgery.

All shortlisted entrants will be invited to an awards evening at the Coniston Hotel on the 23rd October 2014. Winners in all categories will be presented with an award and prize.