THE guests at this week’s launch of the Lord Mayor’s Community and Voluntary Awards offer an insight into the range of organisations which can and should apply to be nominated for these wonderful annual honours.

The awards recognise the enormous contribution that community and voluntary organisations make to the city. In attendance at the launch were representatives of Young at Heart Douglas Seniors, Mayfield Arts, Green Spaces for Health, the Irish Pakistani Community in Cork, and Newberry House.

Pictures: Cork's volunteers and community groups honoured at Lord Mayor's awards

All previous winners, these groups are among dozens whose work has been highlighted over the years.

As Cork’s local paper and news website, The Echo and Echolive.ie are delighted to sponsor these awards and to have the opportunity to highlight the tremendous work happening in the city and suburbs, day in and day out.

Nominations are now open for this year’s awards and we look forward to shining a spotlight on more great work once the shortlists have been chosen.

Categories

Awards will be made in six categories: Arts, Culture, Recreation, and Heritage; Climate Action and Sustainable Development; Community Development and Continuing Education; Recreation, Sport, Health, and Wellbeing; Social Inclusion, Advocacy, and Integration; and Social Services, Charities, and Environment.

Speaking at the launch, Lord Mayor Kieran McCarthy stressed the important of local groups to life in Cork city.

“Once again, we celebrate the rich voluntary effort, dedication, and ‘building communities’ ethos in our city,” he said. “More than 600 organisations are engaged in the community and voluntary sector in the city.

“In essence, they form the heart of Cork society and, in a sense, its caring DNA of togetherness and solidarity.”

We all know individuals and groups who volunteer tirelessly in their communities, with many doing it for years and even decades without any public recognition. Their work makes an enormous difference to the lives of many but can be largely unsung. These awards are an opportunity to acknowledge these community heroes and we encourage all our readers to think about local groups who should be encouraged to apply. The application form is to be completed online but if anyone requires assistance in completing the application, they can contact catherine_foley@corkcity.ie or call 021 4924099.

Further information on the application process can be found here, with nominations to be made by March 15.

Nominations open for Lord Mayor’s Community And Voluntary Awards