Awards to recognise city’s ‘shining stars’

Sunderland City Council is recognising the efforts of volunteers with the Shining Stars Awards, which acknowledge some incredible voluntary work throughout the pandemic.

The awards are part of National Volunteer Week, June 1-7, set up to thank many people for their hard work in our communities.

Categories for residents and businesses to nominate individuals or groups include Organisation of the

Year, Sunderland's Most Neighbourly Neighbour, and Community Fund-raising Champion.

Volunteering became even more important over the last year. Residents have signed up to schemes such as the Keeping in Touch service – visiting and phoning older residents daily to prevent loneliness. Food packages and medicine were also delivered to doorsteps of those who could not leave their homes.

The council provides many volunteering opportunities including litter picks, fundraising, running events, administrative work and more. There are also many Voluntary Community Sector (VCS) groups across Sunderland who help with projects supporting parks, green spaces and heritage assets.

Cllr Linda Williams, portfolio holder for Vibrant City at Sunderland City Council, said :“National VolunteerWeek is a great opportunity for us all to say thank you for everyone’s efforts in Sunderland, and also to raise awareness of the various volunteering opportunities available.”

Find out more at www. sunderland.gov.uk/volunteering. To nominate visit www.sunderland.gov.uk/ shiningstars.