Search is on for Women of Achievement Awards in Leeds

And now the search is on to find the best of the best at this year’s the Sue Ryder Yorkshire Women of Achievement awards.

When it comes to being recognised for voluntary work in the community, you never think it’s going to happen to you.

When Liz Barker, proprietor of the Worth and Aire Valley community magazines, was nominated in and won the newly created Community Impact Award last year she was, in her words, “speechless”.

“You never think it’s going to happen to you,” she said.

The Community Impact category recognises women who have made an outstanding contribution to their local community and Liz, whose magazines are distributed free to 20,000 homes, was described as being always supportive of local businesses, groups and fundraisers, engaging people, bringing them together and encouraging them to use their skills.

She was delighted to be nominated. “It felt very special and humbling to be put forward by people who felt I was doing something worthwhile,” said Liz.

About to celebrate its 30th year, the 2016 awards are now open for nominations and the search has begun to find inspirational women to be awarded in the categories of Business, Education, Sport, Young Achiever of the Year, the Jane Tomlinson Award for Courage and the Community Impact Award.

Sue Ryder’s Women of Achievement Awards are one of Yorkshire’s most celebrated regional events.

Each year, the charity spends £9 million on providing vital care for people with incurable diseases such as cancer, Parkinson’s, and heart disease.

Funding in Yorkshire supports Sue Ryder’s Wheatfields Hospice, Manorlands Hospice, Holme Hall and community care services across the region.

Do you know anyone deserving of an award? Nominations close on Monday May 2.