Volunteer awards to thank Portsmouth people giving their free time

On Tuesday, the Portsmouth Inspiring Volunteer Awards will take place as part of National Volunteers’ Week.

Organised by Portsmouth Together and Pompey in the Community, the ceremony highlights the benefits volunteers give to communities.

Brian Bracher, head of volunteering at Portsmouth City Council, said: ‘This has been our most successful year yet with nearly double the number of nominations from last year.

‘We understand that people do not volunteer to receive awards but this, in some small way, allows us to recognise and celebrate the wealth of support volunteers provide and the many talented volunteers we have in the city.’

The awards are in their third year and are taking place between 6.30pm and 9pm at Fratton Park.

More than 200 people are expected to attend.

As well as individual and team category winners, there will also be awards for Volunteer of the Year, Young Volunteer of the Year and, for the first time, Volunteering Team of the Year.

They have been supported by the Southern Co-operative, IBM UK, Irwin Mitchell Solicitors, Colas and Zooming Photography.

Sandy O’Neill, chief executive of Citizens Advice Portsmouth and chairman of the Portsmouth Together Partnership, said: ‘These awards are a great opportunity to applaud the excellent work that volunteers from all walks of life do within the city.’