Organisers of an annual awards scheme in Luton are looking to praise the Community Business of the Year.
The Community Awards, now in their fourth year, involve 14 categories in all with the theme of recognising Luton’s unsung heroes.
Sukh Saini, managing partner of headline sponsor Pictons said: “It is incredible how much fantastic work is being done by individuals, whether that’s something that goes way beyond the call of duty, or simply because they are warm, caring and generous individuals who make life better for the people in the town. The Community Awards are something to be cherished and that’s why as a company we’re delighted to be headline sponsors for the third year running. It’s a very exciting process and I really encourage people to get nominating their local heroes now.”
As well as the Community Business Of The Year, other categories are Concern Award/Improving Lives; Young Hero; Exceptional Achievement; Charity Champion; Service With A Smile; Community Arts; Role Model of the Year; Our Luton; Best Neighbour; Lifetime Achievement; Carer of the Year; Volunteer of the Year, Teacher of the Year; the Mayor’s Award.
Nominations close on Monday, September 2 and the winners will be announced at a glittering event on October 25. Some 15 judges will choose the winners.
Last year’s Community Awards raised £10,000 for Keech Hospice and the same amount for a community project in Malawi.
This year’s charities are Keech Hospice Care and the Children’s Ward at the Luton & Dunstable Hospital and Community Awards founder Mostaque Koyes hopes more than £20,000 will be raised this year.
A range of local businesses are sponsoring the awards, including Bartham Group, Venue Central, Develop EBP, Safer Luton Partnership, Basepoint, LegalSolutions Partnership, Luton Sixth Form College, University of Bedfordshire, Army, Luton Culture, Pictons, Luton Clinical Commissioning Group, South Anglia and A- Plan.
This year the media sponsors are the Herald and Post, Luton News, Diverse FM, Inspire FM and E- touch Media.
For details and how to nominate visit www.communitycommunications.co.uk
> Businesses are also being encouraged to enter the Bedfordshire Business Excellence Awards, organised by Premier Newspapers. For details of categories and how to enter, visit www2.bedfordtoday.co.uk/businessawards2013