Community Focus

Who's the person in your community that deserves a special mention?

PIONEER: Paul Thomas and his wife at last year's ceremony

The search is on once again for those who make an exceptional contribution to life in their communities. Nominations are being sought for the third annual Community Pioneers Awards, which aims to recognise those who exemplify Hull's pioneering spirit in their every day actions.

Organisers, Hull Cityimage Ltd, are hoping to top the response for last year's event, which attracted 165 nominations for people of all ages and backgrounds. Event organiser Emma Pearson-Kendall said that any organisation or individual who has made a consistently positive contribution to local life is eligible.

"It could be anyone from the person who has worked in the voluntary sector for 20 years to the carer who takes the time to look after an elderly neighbour," she said. A special awards ceremony on May 8 at the UGC cinema in Kingswood will celebrate the achievements of winners in five categories - creating, leading, innovating and discovering - and an overall winner.

He or she will win a luxury weekend break aboard the P&O superferries, with season tickets at Hull Truck Theatre awarded to the runners up. Last year's overall winner, drugs awareness campaigner Paul Thomas, will sit on a special panel to ensure that local communities are adequately represented by the awards.

He urged people to come forward with their nominations. "This is such a fantastic event for Hull as it is all about celebrating the community," he said. "I would encourage everyone to make a nomination as it is a wonderful way to say thank you to someone who has made a positive impact." Emma Pearson-Kendall added: "The Community Pioneer Awards are all about recognising and celebrating people who make a difference. It is about creating pioneering role models who show that everyone can play a part in making Hull top 10."

• Nomination forms will be distributed across the city to voluntary groups, libraries, community centres, doctors' surgeries and charities. Alternatively, you can write to Freepost Pioneering, giving contact details for yourself and your nominee and explaining why you are nominating them.

East pioneer is football champion

Dougie Harrison usually wins football medals, not rose bowls. But that was the prize he received after being named East Hull's first Community Champion. Dougie Harrison, who moved to the city from his native Gateshead in 1939, was a founder member of Hull's Sunday Football League in the 1950/51 season and a player with one of the original teams, Colonial Athletic.

In the years that followed, Dougie helped the league to grow into the country's largest, helping star players like Dean Windass and Nick Barmby as well as senior FA referee, Philip Don, along the way.

The award from the East Area Committee recognises Mr Harrison's work over 50 years in encouraging young people in Marfleet to participate in sport and develop a sense of community spirit. Last year, the Football Association awarded him a medal for his outstanding contribution to the sport.