Winners of Nottingham City Council’s 2008 Proud of You Awards are to be guests of the Lord Mayor at the Council House next week.

The awards, run in association with Trent FM and Boots, reward the stars in our communities and recognise the good work that they do. Local people nominated individuals or groups who have gone out of their way to make a positive contribution to Nottingham and its residents.

All the winners and a nominated person from their chosen charity have been invited as guests of the Lord Mayor, Council Gulwaz Khan, to the Council House on Tuesday November 25th at 3pm. The winners’ chosen charity will receive a grant from Nottingham City Council.

Councillor Khan said: “I’m delighted to welcome the winners of the Proud of You Awards who have gone out of their way to do something special in their community. The Proud of You Awards allow us to recognise and celebrate the contributions made by these extraordinary people.”

Media opportunity: Photo/interview opportunities will be available at The Council House on Tuesday November 25th at 3pm.

The details of the winners and their chosen charities are:

Award Category: Caring Award

Nominee: Maureen and Ray Godfrey

Reason for Nomination: They have been fostering for over 30 years and over 400 children have come into their care. They treat every child as if they were their own and support them in whatever they do. At the moment they have six children living at home, two adopted adult Downs Syndrome women, two 15-year-old girls and old girls aged 11 and five, and also a young adult who is at university.

Charity: When You Wish Upon A Star

Award Category: Danielle Beccan Young Achiever Award

Nominee: Maria Glancy

Reason for Nomination: Maria carries out voluntary work at Broxtowe Partnership Trust, helping organise activities for young people. She has helped promote services for young people in the community and has just set up a girls group at the local youth centre.

Charity: Broxtowe Partnership Trust

Award Category: Good Neighbour Award

Nominee: Pat Chambers

Reason for Nomination: Pat has been a member of the Bestwood Estate Community Centre Association for over 30 years. She has also in this time been a member of tenants and residents associations, City Council area committee, the Bestwood Partnership Forum, Nottingham City Homes Area panels, and more. Any opportunity for her to try and improve services and to make the area a better place to live for the community Pat has always come forward.

Charity: Bestwood Estates Community Association

Award Category: Green Champion Award

Nominee: Residents of Collygate Road, Sue Thompson + Group

Reason for Nomination: Sue Thompson and other residents on the road have come together to improve the physical appearance of the road. This initiative has brought neighbours together through a common idea and has enabled people to talk to one another, thus creating better relations, breaking down barriers, and creating that feel good factor.

Charity: Friends of Victoria Embankment

Award Category: Inspiration Award

Nominee: Amdani Juma

Reason for Nomination: Since living in Nottingham (the past five years) Amdani has proved himself an inspirational volunteer to the refugee community, African community and wider community beyond. Amdani has volunteered many hundreds of hours, at times well over the hours of an average working week.

Charity: Nottingham Refugee Forum and Nottinghamshire Hardship Fund (split donation)

Award Category: Boots local hero award

Nominee: Marc Twaite

Reason for Nomination: Marc pulled an elderly motorist out of his burning car having stopped him. The car exploded almost immediately which would have certainly killed him. It was an exceptional unselfish act of bravery.

Charity: When You Wish Upon A Star