Sponsors of this year’s Comet Community Awards have been speaking about why they are proud to be involved ahead of a glitzy ceremony to recognise the many unsung heroes in our midst.

Representatives from businesses across the area showed their support for the annual event during a Friday visit to Stevenage’s The Forum Conference and Banqueting Suite – the venue for the special evening in May.

Entries have been flooding in since nominations opened last month but there’s still time to put forward that special someone for one of 12 different categories.

North Hertfordshire Homes sponsors the Good Neighbour Award, with neighbourhood and development officer Nicola Price speaking to the Comet about why the housing association continues to support the awards on an annual basis.

She said: “As a housing association we hope to promote community spirit and these awards are an excellent opportunity to be involved in something which recognises people for their help in the community.

“There are many good neighbours out there who deserve this recognition for their selfless acts and this is a chance to do so.”

Specsavers Stevenage is backing the Role Model of the Year category.

Director Gail Maynard said: She said: “We fully support the fantastic work which is being done in our community and it’s great to be involved in an event which highlights this.

“Role models play an important part in young people’s lives and give them someone to look up to.”

Ruslana Yarmonlyuk, who works for Fairview Hotels as the exectutive general manager of The Forum, told the Comet the company is only to pleased to offer up the Stevenage town centre venue for the awards ceremony on May 15.

“We like to give something back to the community and it’s something we’ve always done,” she said.

“We’re constantly working with charities raising thousands of pounds for good causes like the Garden House Hospice in Letchworth.

“We’re trying to be a pillar of the community in Stevenage and that’s why we’ve set up Cafe Green where we have a breakfast club.

“We really people to come here and enjoy themselves at a premier venue which we believe is the perfect setting for this awards.”

Once all nominations are in, sponsors will play their part on a panel of judges to determine who to put forward as finalists.

Those selected will then be invited to the awards ceremony at The Forum, where the winners of each category will be revealed.