THE HIGH Sheriff Awards are calling for nominations to celebrate the good work of those making Hampshire a safer place to live.

Hosted by Hampshire and Isle of Wight Community Foundation (HIWCF), the awards are a mark of distinction and recognition, and honour public servants, individuals, volunteers, charities and community organisations from across the county.

This year, awards will particularly recognise the individual volunteers and volunteer-driven groups who support the criminal justice system, both those within the system and those whose efforts are focused on deterrence, diversion or similar social cohesion activities in their local community.

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Amelia Rivière, High Sheriff of Hampshire for 2023-2024, said: “In my time as High Sheriff I have been wowed by how many extraordinary people I have met doing extraordinary things to improve our communities and the outcome for individuals. The criminal justice system is a jewel in our crown as are the people working in it. However, without the contribution of charitable and voluntary organisations, it would struggle. These charities and volunteers are little known, let alone acknowledged, and I hope this year’s Community Awards will go some way to remedy that.”

Jacqui Scott, HIWCF CEO, said: “HIWCF is yet again delighted to be supporting the High Sheriff of Hampshire in celebrating our third sector groups and volunteers, those individuals who willingly go the extra mile to make Hampshire a better place to live and work. Every year we are inspired by the wonderful work of those receiving an award and the many people who truly go above and beyond to make Hampshire a great place to live. We look forward to seeing more nominations this year.”

More than 20 Hampshire people were recognised at the awards last year. Recipients included Basingstoke Borough and Hampshire County Councillor Arun Mummalaneni for his dedication to inclusivity, anti-racism and his work with the community kitchen throughout the pandemic, DCI Colin White, Chandler’s Ford, for completing 30 years of unblemished service with Hampshire Constabulary, and Shane Blampied and Dr Dominic Pearson for their work with the Fire-P programme in Eastleigh.

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Kayleigh Arney and Danielle Hutley were additionally recognised through the courts with a High Sheriff’s Reward for their work preventing the death of a woman in the New Forest.

The nomination form can be submitted online via the HIWCF website or emailed to info@hiwcf.com.

The deadline for entries is 5pm on Friday, January 12.

The awards will then be presented by the High Sheriff at a ceremony in March 2024.