I’M writing to you to tell you about the inspirational work of volunteers in Wales, our plans to celebrate these fantastic individuals and the amazing impact they have on our communities.

There are around a million people volunteering in Wales, helping to make real changes for the better to our lives. Since 2004, Wales Council for Voluntary Action (WCVA) has been recognising volunteers with our awards scheme, the Wales Volunteer of the Year Awards.

Last year’s winners included a woman who dreamt up an innovative fundraising campaign to improve lives in Ethiopia, a full-time horticulturalist who spends two days a week working on a communal allotment to help people in need and in recovery, and a young man who has helped shape a club for young people with disabilities by giving up all his spare time to organise activities for them.

We’ve just announced an extension to the nomination deadline – the new deadline is April 22, and the nomination categories are:

Individual (age 25 and over)

• young volunteer (under 25 years), supported by GwirVol

• groups

• ‘green’ volunteer, supported by Environment Wales

• trustee

• international volunteer

We hope your readers will take this opportunity to say thank you to someone they know who works for the good of their community and who makes a real difference to the lives of others.

Forms are available at wcva.org.uk. Hard copies are available from WCVA’s Helpdesk by calling 0800 2888 329. Alternatively follow us at facebook.com/walescva and twitter.com/walescva and search for #voty2015.

Ruth Marks

Chief Executive

WCVA