NOMINATIONS are now open for the public to vote on their Volunteer of the Year in the Forest Volunteer Awards.

The award is an opportunity to celebrate an unsung hero in the Forest. FVAF said it is looking for that special someone who goes above and beyond, makes a real difference to people's lives, shows incredible dedication and heart and is the person others can count on.

It said it could be the volunteer who keeps the lunch club running, the mentor who changes young lives, the neighbour who checks on everyone, or the fundraiser who never gives up.

It is the only award decided by public vote. Once the finalists are announced, the whole community gets to choose the winner.

Last year’s winner of the award was Ian Gower, a volunteer for CANDI, Mitcheldean Youth Club and the Scarr Bandstand.

Nominations close at midnight on Sunday, July 19 and you can vote by visiting the FVAF website on https://www.fvaf.org.uk/volunteer-awards.

Other awards up for grabs are Young Volunteer of the Year, Grassroots Group of the Year, Community Organisation Award, Business in the Community Award, Diversity & Inclusion Award, and the Community Climate Action Award.

The news comes following last week’s Volunteer Week, which celebrates the role volunteers play in local communities.

The Forest Voluntary Action Forum marked the week with a number of events as part of a Volunteer Roadshow, culminating with the unveiling of a community mural in Cinderford.

A Forest Voluntary Action Forum spokesperson said: “From Coleford to Newent, Lydney to Cinderford, the week has been a joy from start to finish. Thank you to every single volunteer across the Forest of Dean who makes this community the extraordinary place it is. You are all stars.”