Do you know a volunteer who is worthy of an award?
Nominations are being sought for people in the Borders who devote time and energy to making their communities vibrant and healthy.
Loving our Volunteers, organised by Volunteer Centre Borders, will celebrate the area's countless volunteering activities on 14 February in Kelso's Ednam House Hotel.
Last year's winners included a volunteer with 23 years' experience coaching badminton in Gordon, a Galashiels man providing one-to-one support to a school pupil with Tourette's in Jedburgh and a 14-year-old involved in numerous volunteer roles in Peebles.
VCB executive officer, Gordon Brown, said: "Volunteers are the lifeblood of communities across the Scottish Borders and without them the area would be a lot poorer in every sense of the word.
“Loving Our Volunteers will be a chance to acknowledge the thousands of volunteers who everyday take part in actvities which address such issues as social isolation, deprivation, inactivity and inequality and contribute to sporting and cultural pursuits."
Volunteering achievements will be recognised in eight categories:
• Young Volunteer of the Year (up to 24 years old)
• Adult Volunteer of the Year (24 – 60 years old)
• Golden Volunteer (over 60 years old)
• Long Service to Volunteering Award (10+ years)
• Hidden Asset Award
• Local Hero Award
• Thinking Differently Award
• Loving Our Volunteers Award (for organisations)
Brown continued: "We know many organisations already love and value their volunteers collectively and indeed do find it difficult to single out an individual for recognition.
"However, by celebrating volunteers in this way, it will ensure that volunteers feel valued as an individual, encourage more people in the area to volunteer and act as a reminder that volunteers are not a resource to be taken for granted."
