THE Kent Volunteers Awards for Volunteering Excellence 2005 kicked off with an official gathering of some of Kent's most important figures - from the High Sheriff of Kent, Andrew Wells, to the chairman of KCC, Cllr John London.

The awards, now in their sixth year, are a unique initiative between KCC and the voluntary and business sectors.

Sponsors this year include the Kent Messenger Group, Marlowe Theatre, Canterbury, Volunteering England, Pfizer, The Environment Agency, Kent Sports Development Unit and The Children's Mutual, who have all dedicated time and funds to help promote volunteering and, most importantly, those who give their time to do it.

Each year, KCC invites the public to nominate any person or group who makes a real difference to those around them.

There are eight categories: the arts; protection and enjoyment of the wild, semi-natural and built environment; welfare and disability; community support and development; voluntary work in education and schools; voluntary committee support, counselling and advice; mentoring; and sport and the support of sport.

Each nominee will receive a certificate and the award winners will be announced at a ceremony at the Ramada Hotel and Resort, Hollingbourne, on Sunday, November 27.

The launch event, held at County Hall, Maidstone, was attended by previous winners, and included a visit from the scheme's own celebrity cartoon characters Vol 'n' Teer.

The event was also attended by chairman of Volunteering England Dr Mike Nussbaum.

Master of Ceremonies for the evening, Carole Kincaid from Kent Volunteers, said: "It is important to thank people.

"It is encouraging to others because many volunteers are people who do not seek the limelight but they really do inspire others to think, perhaps, how they could do that as well. That, to me, is the message - it's about ordinary people talking to ordinary people about extraordinary things.

"I think the benefit of the awards is that through the publicity it brings volunteering into the lives of more people to read about it and hear about it. By raising the profile of volunteering we can dispel some of the myths."

Nomination forms are available from Kent Volunteers on 01622 694844 or on www.kent.gov.uk/volunteerawards

The closing date is Friday, September 23.