CHARITIES, volunteers and community heroes shine at the annual Pride of Bracknell Forest awards, and the glow of winning an award doesn't fade. 

Shopmobility, a store in Princess Square, Bracknell, received more nominations than any other winner at the 2015 award ceremony and walked away with the gong for Charity of the Year. 

They were recognised for their excellent customer service and for providing not just mobility scooters for shoppers, but a warm and friendly welcome to anyone who pops in.

As the News calls for your nominations of any good causes or community stalwarts who deserve a bit of recognition, we spoke to Shopmobility about their award. 

Manager Becky Pearce picked up the award last year with team member Sue Lewis and said: "It was absolutely fantastic. To know that what we do on a daily basis meant so much to so many people, that they put their votes in, we were so grateful that people really, really do appreciate what we do for them.

Bracknell News:

Sue Lewis and Becky Pearce with Reading FC legend Ady Williams, BBC Radio Berkshire host Andrew Peach and Tina Varns from awards sponsor Waitrose

She added: "Although it's our job it was a real pleasure that so many people thought of us when they nominated.

"If you feel there's someone, anybody, out there what you feel is worthy of this award then I urge people to put their nominations in because it's very important to recognise people's achievements."

Ms Pearce has worked at the Princess Square store for 12 years and managed the team for 10 years. 

"Oh, I love my job. A rather lovely group of people come in on a daily basis and come in for a cup of tea and a chatter. We are like one big happy family," she added. 

The Wayz Youth Club, which has recently celebrates its 50th birthday, was last year's runner up in the Charity of the Year category.

The Volunteer of the Year award, sponsored by Waitrose, saw a 'selfless' charity worker recognised for his remarkable fundraising. 

Harmans Water residents Paul Williams, founder of Paul's Trust, won the award after raising more than £400,000 for good causes over 15 years while runners up Mark and Rose Saunders were noted for their work with the Sandhurst Corps of Drums. 

Bracknell News:

Volunteer of the Year, Paul Williams, with his award at the 2015 award ceremony

There's still plenty of time to enter your nomination for any of the ten categories:

  • Pride of Bracknell (children’s champion)
  • Pride of Bracknell (adults’ champion)
  • School of the Year
  • Teacher of the Year
  • Business of the Year
  • Health and Sport (Young Person’s Achievement)
  • Health and Sport (Adult Achievement)
  • Charity of the Year
  • Volunteer of the Year
  • Team of the Year

To nominate a community hero, team, school or business you think deserves some recognition for their outstanding contribution to Bracknell Forest either fill out a nomination form - on page two of the Bracknell News each Wednesday - or email it in to news@bracknellnews.co.uk

Email entries should include: 

- Your name

- Your contact number

- The name of your nominee

- Your nominee's contact details and address

- A brief description of why your nominee should be awarded

Email your entry to news@bracknellnews.co.uk 

Postal entries should be addressed to Pride of Bracknell Forest, Bowman House, 2-10 Bridge Street, Reading RG1 2LU.

The closing date for nominations is Wednesday, March 23.