The Community Awards 2021 is getting closer… and even though the judging panel has met, there’s still a chance for you to have a vote with the Lincs FM Star Award.

As reported, we are proud to be teaming up with Lincs FM to highlight and celebrate all the good things going on in our communities.

The judging panel met earlier this month and chose their winners, in time for the glittering ceremony on September 3 at Grimsby Town Hall. And, as part of the event, the radio station is asking you to vote in a special category – the Star Award.

Here are the three nominees, and a little bit about them from the people who nominated:

The Clinical Team at St Barnabas Hospice

They have remained on the frontline since the start of the coronavirus pandemic, caring for some of the most vulnerable people across Lincolnshire. From April 1, 2020, to March 31, 2021, the hospice has cared for approximately 5,700 people living with a life-limiting or terminal illness and provided counselling support to 701 people. The hospice has also faced losses of about £2-million from closed charity shops and cancelled fundraising events due to the coronavirus pandemic, but their high-quality, compassionate care for the people of Lincolnshire has continued regardless. Among many other things, when the pandemic began, St Barnabas launched a free Bereavement Helpline for adults, regardless of whether their loved one received hospice care or not. This was the first of its kind in Lincolnshire, manned by trained counsellors who volunteered their time.

Eileen Miller

Eileen lives in Friskney and has dedicated hours upon hours and walked hundreds of miles to raise funds for the animals residing at Lincolnshire Wildlife Park. Her original interest in the park started with her love of Tigers and she often visited the park just so that she could spend the day taking photos at their enclosure. Eileen now has a small area in the middle of the park and next to Cecil’s (our Tapir) enclosure, in which she hosts raffles, tombolas etc. Eileen has developed a very special relationship with Cecil and the other animals in our care. She donates her time freely because she is passionate about the park and inspires others by encouraging them to also give their time and money. During the five years that Eileen has been volunteering with us, she continues to surprise us with the incredible amounts she raises year on year, in fact she raised a massive £500 in one single day for International Tiger Day 2018, a huge achievement for which we are so very thankful. Among many other things, she has walked 547 miles (the equivalent of walking from our park in Lincolnshire to John O’ Groats in Scotland) to raise funds.

Kevin Troop

Kevin has been a volunteer first responder for LIVES for several years. As well as his day job, he is on call responding to 999 emergencies at every available opportunity and has helped so many people. He never complains and is always there with a smile! Kevin has vast experience with different difficult situations and remains professional, calm, approachable and level-headed always. He is an inspiration and would do anything for anyone. I feel he deserves recognition for his hard work in the community as a volunteer.

To cast your vote, visit: https://planetradio.co.uk/lincs-fm/station/on-air/the-lincs-fm-community-awards/

But hurry – you only have until midnight on Sunday!