Volunteers in North Herts who go the extra mile were recognised at a special awards ceremony on Friday.

Winners of the North Herts District Council Chairman’s Volunteer Achievement Awards were revealed in a celebratory reception at Little Wymondley’s Priory Barn in honour of those who make a real difference in their community.

The NHDC-organised awards – sponsored by Letchworth and Hitchin-based construction firm Willmott Dixon and backed by the Comet – saw six volunteers take to the stage to collect an engraved glass trophy, bouquet of flowers and gift vouchers to acknowledge their achievements.

The winners, all nominated by members of the public, were chosen by the judging panel consisting of NHDC’s chairman Alan Millard and communities team member Claire Morgan, Anne Taylor from the North Herts Centre for Voluntary Service, Jack Wells and Steven Roberts of Willmott Dixon, and Comet editor Nick Gill.

Rachel Campbell took home the Green Award having introduced ‘binstallations’ to Hitchin to encourage people to dispose of their rubbish, and educating the wider community about being environmentally friendly.

Graham Haycroft won the Caring Award for volunteering as a chef at an assisted living facility in Letchworth, cooking healthy nutritious lunches for residents who are often socially isolated.

Joshua Izzard was given the Vince Paige Sporting Achievement Award, named after the Letchworth Garden City Eagles FC founder who passed away last year.

Joshua has been BMX racing for the last few years and has been selected to take part in regional competition.

Marjorie McCarley and her late husband Alan were the winners of the Dedication Award, having been at the heart of the Wymondley parish community for almost five decades.

Maggie Read received the Young Star Award for her volunteer work with the scouts, beavers, air cadets and tutoring at school.

And Vicky Pooley took home the Judges Special Recognition Award having volunteered at a wide range of community groups in Hitchin and the Hitchin Marie Curie Cancer Care fundraising committee.

Councillor Millard said: “We are delighted that the hard work and dedication of volunteers in the district has been recognised by these awards. It is these people who selflessly give their time and skills for free to help their communities, and for that we owe them our gratitude.”

Steven Roberts, senior project surveyor at Willmott Dixon, added: “We are honoured to have taken part in the process of selecting and rewarding the efforts of these inspirational volunteers within the county, and thank North Hertfordshire District Council for asking us to be a part of the process.”