SIR: I would like to offer a challenge to your readers.

Over 23 million people - nearly half the population of the UK - volunteer to help make our communities better places to live.

But all too often the efforts of these volunteers go unnoticed. Or if not unnoticed, then certainly unrecognised.

Many volunteers don't seek recognition or reward for what they do - that's the very nature of volunteering. However, that doesn't mean that we shouldn't make the time or effort to pay tribute to those who freely help others.

At The National Centre for Volunteering we have become involved with the Whitbread Volunteer Action Awards run in partnership with the Home Office. These Awards, the 'Oscars' of volunteering, provide each and every one of us with an opportunity to honour the volunteers that we know. All it takes is the completion of a simple nomination form. The Awards are the definitive honour for anyone involved in volunteering. They are presented to people and organisations in the UK who promote the best of voluntary activity in their communities. By recognising the group or individual nominated they help raise the profile of the organisation.

In addition, there is a total of £25,000 in prize money to be awarded regionally to individuals and organisations including young people, youth groups, school and college organisations.

We need your help in nominating volunteers and volunteering groups for an award. If you know of an individual or a group who deserves recognition please put them forward.

Nominations for the Whitbread Volunteer Action Awards will be taken until 22 September 1997. For further information about the scheme or to request a nomination form, please telephone 01582 397759 or OI582 397292 or write to The Whitbread Volunteer Action Awards, FREEPOST LOL 1936, Luton, Beds LUl 3YR.

We all know of people who spend their own time helping others. Shouldn't we spend less than an hour of our time to complete a nomination form to recognise their efforts?

Take up the challenge - get nominating!

Fiona Dawe

Operational Director

The National Centre for Volunteering

Eversholt Street, London

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