New community awards launched by South Kesteven District Council are off to a great start with 50 nominations submitted in the first fortnight.

Nominations have been received for all eight SK Community Awards, ranging from celebrating youth initiative to helping the environment, business contributions, supporting culture, boosting wellbeing and neighbourliness.

Cllr Annie Mason, Cabinet Member for People and Safer Communities, said: "These early results are absolutely phenomenal. I am delighted to see such a positive response to our new awards scheme.

"We want to recognise those people and organisations spending their time tirelessly helping others and rallying together to make a real difference in their communities. Clearly there are a lot of people who agree that it's important to do that."

Launched on 1 June to mark Volunteers' Week, the SK Community Awards will shine a light on the people and organisations who go above and beyond to help others.

Leading the way on nominations is the Helping Hand Award to recognise individuals' actions in their community, with 16 nominations.

Two further awards for Volunteer of the Year and Community Group of the Year awards will be judged by SKDC from the short-listed nominations in each category.

The council is also offering a special 'Beyond the Call of Duty' Award, dedicated to late SKDC colleague Neil Smith, which reflects his actions in using CPR to save the life of his 11-month-old son Tommy following a cardiac arrest.

A person or organisation can be nominated for more than one award with the closing date for nominations being 18 July. Winners will be announced in September.

All nominees will be recognised with a certificate commending their efforts, and the winners will receive a commemorative award.

To make a nomination online go to: www.southkesteven.gov.uk/SKcommunityawards .

If anyone would like a paper copy sending, please contact [email protected] or call 01476 406161. Nominations should then be posted to: SK Community Awards, Corporate Operations, South Kesteven District Council, St Peters Hill, Grantham NG31 6QZ.

The awards are:

The Neil Smith 'Beyond the Call of Duty' Award: recognising exceptional actions

Lifetime Community Champion Award: for a life given to public service

Helping Hand Award: recognising individuals' actions in their community

Community Cultural Action Award: for enthusing and encouraging others in their creativity

Cleaner and Greener Award: demonstrating pride in local appearance and cleanliness

Community Wellbeing Champion Award: for helping mental and physical fitness

Business in the Community Award celebrating business community contributions

Inspirational Young Person Award: recognising contributions from under 25s