Time is running out to nominate unsung heroes in your local community for one of this year’s Pride of Shropshire awards.

Entries have been coming in steadily over the past few weeks for the competition, which seeks to reward and recognise individuals or groups who go the extra mile to make a difference in their community. But with the closing date just two days away, organisers today issued a rallying call for any last-minute nominations.

The awards, which are being repeated this year following a successful debut in 2008, are jointly organised by The Shropshire Star, Shropshire Partnership and dairy giant Muller, and supported by a string of other businesses.

There are awards categories for entrepreneurs, learners, courage, good neighbours, volunteers, community projects, healthy living, carers, and environmental projects, as well as an overall award for the Pride of Shropshire champion – won last year by the Meole’s Got Talent community group in Shrewsbury.

Among the latest batch of entries for this year’s community project award is Shrewsbury Ark, a registered charity providing an open access day centre for the most vulnerable residents in the county town – people affected by homelessness, isolation, mental health troubles, crime or drug abuse.

In the volunteer category, pensioners Nancy Wood and Reginald Steventon, of Bomere Heath, have been proposed for their fundraising efforts in aid of the Severn Hospice. They have raised more than £30,000 during the past two decades. Also in the volunteer category is John Woolmer, of Leebotwood.

Mr Woolmer is described as a “titan of volunteering” in the Church Stretton area over the past decade, founding and chairing the tourism group and helping to launch the town’s food fair. In the carer category, Sarah Thomas, of Copthorne, Shrewsbury, is among the nominees.

She cares for her mother who has multiple sclerosis, and is the youngest member of the local MS Society.

Among the environmental projects put forward is the “Carrot and Carp Project” in St Martins near Oswestry, where a group of locals have bought an area known as Arthans Pond to retain it as a wildlife amenity for the public.

l Do you know someone who goes the extra mile to make a difference in their community?

There is still time to place a nomination in this year’s Pride of Shropshire awards. Closing date for entries is this Friday.

You can download a nomination form, or submit your entry online, by logging on to www.prideofshropshireawards.com