Maldon Mayor, Cllr Andrew Lay, has announced that nominations are now open for the Town Community Awards for 2024.

The annual awards aim to celebrate and recognise the efforts of local individuals or groups, of any age, who have made a difference in the community.

Nominations are sought in the following categories:

• Art, Culture & Heritage Award: For an individual or group using arts and culture to help make a difference and impact within local communities.
• Best Business Contribution to the Community: For a business that makes a significant contribution to a Maldon community.
• Carer of the Year: For an individual carer in Maldon who has gone beyond the call of duty, including young carers.
• Citizen of the Year: For an individual whose selfless efforts have left a lasting impression on the lives of others and who has made a significant contribution to improving life in Maldon.
• Community Impact Award: For charitable work of an organization, individual, or group that has made a dramatic impact on the lives of those within Maldon.
• Educator of the Year: For a person whose teaching, leadership, or mentoring has inspired others to achieve more in their education and career. We are looking for either an individual or organisation that has made a real difference in their student's lives. 
• Long Service Volunteer Award: For an individual who has been involved as a volunteer for upwards of five years within Maldon.
• Sporting Volunteer Award: For an individual who volunteers hours of their time inspiring others and improving health and wellbeing in the community through sports activities.
• Young Achiever of the Year: For a young person who has contributed significantly to life in Maldon and who has shown commitment to their local community.
• The Town Mayor's Award for Community Service: This special award recognizes the work of an individual or organisation that makes an outstanding contribution to life in Maldon. Judges will be looking for an ambassador of the town whose contributions to our local area improve life for residents and visitors, and whose commitment is outstanding. 

Maldon Mayor, Cllr Andrew Lay, has encouraged the community to nominate their "shining star", noting this can be for "a single act of kindness, a long-lasting battle against the odds, or for their inspirational community work."

The Town Mayor and council representatives will meet to consider all nominations and choose worthy ambassadors for the town whose contribution to Maldon improves life for residents and visitors and whose commitment is outstanding.

 The presentation evening will be held on Monday, April 22 at Maldon Town Hall to which everyone is invited. 

The deadline for nominations is March 15, and nomination forms are available on the Town Council's website, from Maldon Town Hall on Market Hill, or by phoning 01621 857373.

2023's Community Awards event received so many nominations the council had to create two extra categories..

The Town Mayor's Award for Community Service went to Julie Taylor "for her constant contribution to improve the lives of others through her fundraising, education of knife crime, offering hot meals to those in need, delivering food parcels and always going above and beyond."