NOMINATIONS have been coming in thick and fast for this year’s Community Stars awards, to recognise people who strive to make a difference in their communities.

Now into its sixth year, the awards, organised by the Telegraph & Argus and Bradford Council, aim to ensure dedicated volunteers are rewarded for their hard work.

Readers are being asked to nominate people in their local communities who they believe go the extra mile to help others.

One group of volunteers that have been put forward for recognition is the community group Greenfingers.

The group has been organising a coffee and cake morning with a gardening twist for the local community on the first Friday of every month.

Volunteers help to organise the events on a rota basis and Greenfingers, with between 30 and 40 people, both young and old, attend the sessions each month.

The Greenfingers group was nominated by Zoe Cooper.

She said: “The group was founded by four members of the community, and has grown through their nurturing, warm and kind personalities.

“They felt there was a need in the community for a regular meeting point, and they have worked tirelessly over the past few years.

“They have grown the Greenfingers coffee mornings into a well-loved event. They now have a team of volunteers to help them and to spread the work involved in organising a successful morning.

“But without the founder members’ thought and kindness, this wonderful community morning would never have taken off.”

Ms Cooper also praised the Greenfingers team for keeping the coffee mornings free to attend, and for their charitable donations.

“The latest to receive a donation was Shirley Manor Primary School who were fundraising to provide dolls for a local dementia unit.”

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD AN APPLICATION FORM

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.

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.

Use the form to nominate by Monday, September 26.