We all know someone who does a lot for the local community. It could be a friend, family member, a volunteer you work with or even a local business. Each year we show our appreciation by celebrating the fantastic contribution of volunteers of all ages making Harrogate District a better place for everyone. 

Thank you to Councillor John Fox, all sponsors and partners and most of all the amazing volunteers who made the 10th Annual Volunteering Oscars Awards Ceremony at the Old Swan Hotel on 27th October 2017 such a special event. Shortlisted nominees, friends and family were invited to a champagne reception followed by a ceremony which celebrated volunteers from around the district. 

Congratulations to the winners and highly commended volunteers in each category 

Young Volunteer of the Year - for any volunteer under 25 years of age
Winners: Harry Beaton and Ellen Young
Highly commended: Lucas Barnes, Marcus Brook, Samuel Longley, Josh Knibbs, Phoebe Needham Chandler, Scarlett Smith-Dunn

Care Volunteer of the Year - for any volunteer who has worked with and contributed towards a care based activity.
Winner: Tom Oates

Community Volunteer of the Year - for any volunteer who has worked with and contributed towards a community based activity.
Winner: Bernard Higgins

Environment Volunteer of the Year - for any volunteer who has worked with and contributed towards an environmentally based activity.
Winner: Ros Evans
Highly commended: Lucy Tiffany

Sports Volunteer - for any volunteer who has worked with and contributed towards a sports based activity.
Winner: Isabelle Lepine
Highly commended: John Skinner

Wildlife Volunteer - for any volunteer or group who has worked with and contributed towards local wildlife.
Winner: Yorkshire Wildlife Trust - Harrogate Supporters Group

Ackrill Media Group Unsung Heroes

An Award given to any volunteer who has gone the extra mile in each of the four locations. 

     Harrogate - sponsored by Harrogate Advertiser
     Winner: Elaine Parlour
     Highly commended: Henry Liddiard, Irene Small

     Knaresborough - sponsored by Knaresborough Post
     Winner: Jean Blakey
     Highly commended: Brenda Dixon, Nigel Threlfall

     Ripon & Boroughbridge - sponsored by Ripon Gazette & Boroughbridge Herald 
     Winner: Alec Lutton
     Highly commended: Pauline Phillips

     Nidderdale - sponsored by Nidderdale Herald.
     Winner: Catherine Lamb

New Volunteer of the Year - for any person who has started volunteering within the last 12 months
Winner: Michael Flynn
Highly commended: Lindy Webb

Trustee of the Year - for the Trustee who demonstrates exceptionally sound decision making, and has provided ongoing support which allowed the charity to most effectively achieve its objectives within the last year.
Winner: Richard Taylor
Highly commended: Lesley Bars

Organisation of the Year - for an organisation which has demonstrated best practice in Volunteer Management.
Winner: Washburn Heritage Centre
Highly commended: Ripon Museums

Corporate Engagement Award - for any business or team who have taken part in a volunteering initiative over the past 12 months.
Winner: Harrogate Volkswagen 

Volunteer of the Year - for the volunteer who has given an extraordinary contribution to an organisation, its service users and fellow volunteers.  This volunteer has gone those extra few miles.
Winner: Victoria Smith-Dunn
Highly commended: Jenna Collins

Lifetime Volunteer - for the volunteer who has given an extraordinary contribution to the organisation, its service users and fellow volunteers over a significant length of time. Unlike the other Awards, this recognises the contribution across a number of years rather than just the last 12 months.
Winner: Shirley Fawcett