Mansfield Building Society has added a new Environmental Star Award to its popular Community Star Awards for 2024.

Both awards aim to recognise the dedication and commitment of volunteers in the region with a £250 prize for each of the winning volunteers and a further £250 for their respective community groups.

The new Environmental Star Award aims to recognise individuals who give up their time to create a more sustainable future, wants to support those in our community already taking action to improve the local area.

The Community Star Awards started in 2017 and previous winners have included representatives from Nottinghamshire Search and Rescue, Mansfield Soup Kitchen, and Huthwaite Scouts among others.

In 2023, the society recognised the efforts of Jordan Cotton as a Community Star for her efforts with domestic abuse charity, Butterfly Domestic Violence.

The head of HR at Mansfield Building Society, Vickie Preston, said it was looking forward to receiving and recognising inspiring stories about community volunteers.

“Our Community Star Awards shine a light on the wonderful work that volunteers do and this year we’re delighted to be expanding the awards even further to include an Environmental Star Award,” she added.

“Charities and community groups can make a massive difference to our local area, and we know that these groups are dependent on the work of hero volunteers.

“We’d like to encourage charities and community groups to come forward to nominate their volunteer superstars so we can also thank and reward them.”

Nominations should be submitted at mansfieldbs.co.uk/community-star before midnight on Sunday, 14th April.

The two awards will be presented at the society’s Community Celebration Event, which will be held after its annual meeting on Thursday, 25th April, at Portland College, from 5.30pm.