DAVE Watts MP for St Helens North has called on local people to nominate voluntary organisations for the Queens Award for Voluntary Service.

Dave said that he was always amazed at the number of excellent voluntary organisations, which existed in the town, and he believed that many local voluntary organisations deserved to be given some public recognition for the service they provide in our community.

"Over the last 25 years I have been privileged to meet most of the voluntary organisations in St Helens and Newton and I am only too aware of the major role they play in the life of our community.

"It is clear to me that we often undervalue such organisations and I believe that Queens Award gives us all the opportunity to celebrate the work and contribution that voluntary organisations make to our community."

Dave said that he was delighted that the Connect volunteer organisation in St Helens had been successful in this year's awards and he believed that the award reflected the major contribution that this particular organisation had made in supporting families with disabled children.

Service

Any one individual can nominate a local voluntary group as long as it provides a direct service and that it has been in existence for more than 3 years and is staffed by volunteers. The person making the nomination must not be directly involved in the running of the group or be a relative or partner of a person in the organisation which is being nominated.

People forwarding the name of an organisation will be required to give some details and background about the organisation and their views as to why they believe that the group should receive the award. They will also have to provide two independent endorsements from two other supporters of the group.

Dave said that he hoped that following the success of Connect that many more people would come forward with nominations for this prestigious award.

Anyone seeking further information about this matter should contact the Queen's Voluntary Service office on 0845 000 2002 or log on to their web site www.queensawardvoluntary.co.uk