The Guernsey Community Foundation’s annual Community Awards are returning for 2020.

The Awards, to be held at St James on Tuesday 17 November, celebrate local charities, individuals and businesses who, over the last 12 months, have raised money, delivered services and undertaken community projects for the Bailiwick’s benefit.

Jim Roberts, chief executive of Guernsey Community Foundation, said; “This is an extra special year for us – not only is this our 10th anniversary year, but the awards follow a period of intense activity across the sector, as charities and volunteers went above and beyond to help the island respond to COVID-19.

“The Community Awards is a fantastic way to celebrate what the voluntary sector has achieved in these challenging times.”

Last year, the prestigious Charity of the Year Award was won by Paws for Support. The charity was shortlisted alongside Bowel Cancer Guernsey and Guernsey Society for Cancer Relief, and received the award in recognition of its pioneering work with therapeutic aid animals.

Chair Sara Sarre said that they were thrilled to have won Charity of the Year in 2019.

“Since winning, we’ve continued to improve our service despite the additional challenges presented by the Covid 19 crisis. Our visits to schools and nursing homes were temporarily suspended, but we found ways to continue to offer support, education and friendship during lockdown. We hope our service helped alleviate the feelings of stress and social isolation experienced by so many people over the past few months.

“We are so happy to now be able to resume our work in full and get our “Office Dog Project” off the ground. Our sincere thanks go to the Guernsey Community Foundation for the recognition and financial support that they have offered us, and many other charities across the Bailiwick.”

Nominations for the 2020 Community Awards open on 14 August and close on 11 September. Self-nominations are welcome.

Details about the event itself and all of last year’s winners can be found at https://foundation.gg/community-awards.