'Time is the most precious gift anyone can give'
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THERE are more than 1.2 million volunteers across Scotland but we are looking for the one who gives their time and talents to help others in your Highland community.
Our volunteer of the year will be an individual who has been beyond generous and has gone out of their way to make a real difference to people's lives.
Scottish Provincial Press is looking for nominations for the Highland Heroes awards across 12 categories. We are asking readers to tell us about the people they know who are deserving of each award.
Volunteering is a huge benefit to society as a whole, as well as helping individuals develop skills and confidence. The Scottish Council for Voluntary Organisations says the sector is worth an estimated £2.1 billion annually to the Scottish economy, with more than a quarter of Scottish adults volunteering in 2016.
The winner of the Highland Heroes volunteer of the year category at last year's inaugural awards was Josie Aitken, from Balloch in Inverness.
Josie – a volunteer with High Life Highland's disability sport section, a founding member of the Disability Inverness Sports Clubs, chairwoman of the Scottish Down's Syndrome Society (Highland) and a volunteer with the Highland Disability Swimming Team – spent more than 15 years supporting and building sports access for people with disabilities across the region.
She originally got involved in sport when her daughter Laura, who has Down's syndrome, turned 14 and many mainstream sports clubs became less accessible for her.
"I always say your time is the most precious gifts you can give someone," Josie said after receiving the award. "Even a few minutes can make a huge difference to someone's life."
Do you know somebody who gives their all to make a difference through volunteering? They could be one of our 2018 Highland Heroes in the volunteer of the year category, sponsored by Inverness builder Fraser and Grant.
To nominate somebody you feel deserves recognition in this or any other category, fill in this form and post it to Highland Heroes, Scottish Provincial Press, New Century House, Stadium Road, Inverness, IV1 1FG or email it to heroes@spp-group.com.
You can also nominate your Highland Heroes online at www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/HighlandHeroes2018
The deadline for nominations is midnight on Saturday, September 1.
A judging panel will draw up a shortlist in each category before readers are given the opportunity to vote for their favourites.
The winners will be announced at a ceremony at the Kingsmills Hotel in Inverness on Thursday, November 8.
