A volunteer who runs a drop-in centre for vulnerable adults has urged the public to nominate deserving heroes after winning at last year’s Comet Community Awards.

The annual event returns on May 15 when 13 winners will be revealed in a special ceremony at Stevenage town centre venue The Forum.

But ahead of the big night we need your nominations, something previous winner Jackie Nealon knows plenty about.

The woman behind Jackie’s Drop-in Centre in Letchworth was inundated with nominations last year, and took home the Valiant Volunteer Award for 2014.

“I thought it was an excellent evening and very pleasant,” said Jackie, who also made the shortlist for the Service to the Community category.

“It was lovely to hear all the different stories and everyone really enjoyed it.”

Jackie was declared the winner for her work running the centre at St Michael’s House on North Way South, which now provides a safe place for a adults with learning disabilities five days a week. She admitted that adulation for her achievements wasn’t something she was seeking but winning was a welcome surprise.

Jackie added: “It was amazing picking up the award. It was great to know so many people had nominated me and it was an unbelievable feeling – you don’t do the job for that reason as it’s all about the members, but it’s still nice to be recognised.

“Being rewarded for what you have achieved is just wonderful.”

This year there are 13 categories to choose from including the Great and Green Award, Teacher of the Year, and the Good Neighbour Award.

If you know an unsung hero who deserves to be recognised at the 2015 Comet Community Awards then please fill in a form at our dedicated website mentioned below.

Our generous sponsors – who helped launch this year’s event at our offices in Stevenage last week – will then sit down and help judge the nominations as we select a shortlist of finalists who will all be invited to the awards ceremony when the winners will be revealed.