Craven District Council and the Craven Herald have again teamed up to launch the sixth annual Craven Community Champion Awards – celebrating the district’s heroes and honouring their achievements.

Do you know someone who goes above and beyond for their community? An individual who puts their time into volunteering, or a community group which really makes a difference? This is your chance to thank them for all their hard work.

The awards are split into seven categories, to celebrate those who have made an outstanding contribution to arts and culture, sport and recreation, health and wellbeing, and creating a greener Craven.

There are awards for Young Citizen of the Year, Best Community Group and Volunteer of the Year – and one person will be chosen by a panel of judges as Citizen of the Year.

Each award has been sponsored by a local business, including Alexander’s, Broughton Hall, Angus Fire, Principle Healthcare International, Keelham Farm Shop, The Coniston Hotel Country Estate and Spa, and Yorkshire Housing.

Councillor Stephen Place, Chairman of Craven District Council, said: “We’re thrilled to be launching the Community Champions Awards once again this year.

“This is a fantastic event which allows us all to celebrate the amazing members of our community who help make Craven such a wonderful place to live.

“I’m sure we can all think of someone who goes the extra mile to help others or improve their community - so please nominate your local champion and make sure they get the recognition they deserve.”

“I’d like to give many thanks to our generous sponsors for their continued support, without which the Craven Community Champions Awards would not be possible.”

The winners will be announced on January 11, 2018, at a ceremony to be hosted by the Coniston Hotel and Country Estate at Coniston Cold, near Skipton. Everyone who has been shortlisted will be invited.

Nominations close on October 29. Nomination forms are available from the Council website: www.cravendc.gov.uk/communitychampions

Award Categories

This year the seven awards open for nomination are:

Arts and Culture Award (Sponsored by Alexander’s): An individual or group that has made a contribution to arts, heritage and culture in their community or the district in general.

Best Community Group Award (Sponsored by Keelham Farm Shop): A voluntary group that has made a significant contribution to their community or the district in general.

Sport and Recreation Award (Sponsored by Principle Healthcare): An individual or group that has made a contribution to amateur sport, play or physical activity in their community or the district in general.

Volunteer of the Year Award (Sponsored by Angus Fire): An individual who has made an outstanding contribution through volunteering during 2014.

Young Citizen of the Year Award (Sponsored by The Coniston Hotel Country Estate & Spa): A young person (aged 11 to 25) who has made a positive contribution to their peers, their school or college or a community in general.

Health and Wellbeing Award (Sponsored by Principle Healthcare International): An individual or group that has made a contribution to improving the health and wellbeing of local people by providing support to vulnerable people, setting up projects to improve local community spirit or helping people to live healthier lives.

Greener Craven Award: An individual or group that has made a contribution to enhancing the local environment.

In addition, the following award is also up for grabs but the winners will be chosen by the judging panel or award sponsor and is therefore not open for public nomination.

Citizen of the Year Award (sponsored by Yorkshire Housing): This award will be given to a citizen in recognition of his or her outstanding contributions directly to Craven during the past year; all nominations will be automatically entered into this category.