CRAVEN Council is calling on people to nominate community groups for a special award in this year’s Community Champions.

Last year’s winners were the Friends of Aireville Park, and this year, the judges will be looking for another group to hold the title.

The panel will be be seeking a group that attracts and encourages new members to get involved in helping the community, and one that makes itself welcoming and accessible to all.

The winning group will have also made a difference to and improved the well being of a community.

The Friends of Aireville Park group convinced last year’s panel with how it had achieved investment and improvements to the Skipton park.

Having formed in 2013, the group has been remarkably successful in fundraising, and together with the council has raised more than £150,000 for the new skate park, and a further £100,000 towards a new play area, currently underway.

Victoria Robertshaw, co owner of award sponsors, Keelham Farm Shop, said: “This will be the fourth year that we’ve sponsored the awards, and like previous years, we’re really looking forward to meeting and celebrating those who go above and beyond for their community.

“Sponsoring the awards has allowed us to build lasting relationships with previous winners, including Skipton Tennis Centre who recently hosted their summer open day at our shop, and Clapham Community Shop, who have visited Keelham to swap ideas.”

She added: “There are so many people doing good things that make a positive difference for others and it’s fantastic that we’re able to help shine the spotlight on them in this way.”

The awards also include one for citizen of the year, which unlike all the other awards is chosen by the judges, and not by public nomination.

A spokesman for Yorkshire Housing, which is sponsoring the awards, said: “These awards recognise and celebrate achievements of local people in improving their own communities and neighbourhoods. As the largest social landlord in Craven we see ourselves as a major stakeholder in the communities and neighbourhoods where we operate. We are not just focused on the homes we provide.

“We work in partnership with our tenants and their communities, the voluntary and public sectors, and other housing associations to support innovative projects which meet common goals. Our priority in all of this work is to empower and support local people to both reach their potential and to become more actively involved in their local communities.”

Last year the Citizen of the Year Award was given to the winner of the Health and Wellbeing Award, Katie Peacock.

Nomination forms are available on the council website: cravendc.gov.uk/communitychampions or from participating shop or service, library or doctors surgery. Nominations for all the awards close on November 29. The winners will be announced at the awards ceremony to be held, and hosted by, The Coniston Hotel, Coniston, in February next year. All those shortlisted for an award will be invited to attend the ceremony.