NOMINATIONS for the sixth annual Community Stars campaign have begun to roll in, celebrating dedicated volunteers who strive to make a difference in their local communities across Bradford.

The honours are organised by the Telegraph & Argus and Bradford Council in a bid to ensure unsung heroes across the district are properly rewarded.

Readers are being asked to nominate people in their neighbourhoods who they feel have gone out of their way to help others.

One of the first nominations has been for the Bingley-based Down Syndrome Training and Support Service.

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Wendy Uttley of Keighley, nominated the service in the community group and community champion categories. The service supports families who have a child with Down syndrome and delivering training for parents and for school staff.

In addition they hold a monthly family session on a Saturday and run a weekly youth club for young people. Dr Uttley founded the service in 2000 when her son, who has the syndrome, was two. In nominating the group and all the volunteers that help run it she said: “They always give 110 per cent to support families, making them feel welcome and part of one big family especially in the early days when some parents can be struggling to accept that their child has been born with a learning disability.”

Nominations will be whittled down by a panel of judges before Bradfordians vote from a shortlist. Category winners will be announced at a ceremony at The Midland Hotel, on December 7.

This year’s awards are part of the People Can Make a Difference campaign which aims to recognise voluntary work already being carried out in the district. The awards are sponsored by Better Start Bradford and this year include the Better Start Bradford Outstanding Contribution award.

Nominations are sought in the following categories: Volunteer, Good Neighbour, Community Group, Fundraiser, Community Champion and Young Active Citizen, as well as the new category of Better Start Bradford Outstanding Contribution. 

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