THE best of volunteering in the community will be celebrated at an awards ceremony tonight.
About 150 people will fill Holy Trinity Church for the annual Neighbourhood Network Awards.
The network is a Hull charity that now boasts more than 350 neighbourhood groups across the city.
It aims to fight crime and promote community spirit.
The groups carry out voluntary work, from organising crime reduction events, launching no cold- calling zones, helping set local priorities and sending information to other residents.
Louise Wilkinson, manager at the charity, said: "The Neighbourhood Network charity has continued to grow considerably over the past year and aims to reduce crime, develop a good community and create a safer environment to live in, where people are neighbourly and support one another.
"There are currently 360 groups registered with the charity and all of them are doing their bit to make Hull a better place to live, work and visit.
"Their contribution ranges from keeping people informed about community safety issues – so their members can keep themselves safe – to groups who get involved in bigger projects that have long-term benefits in reducing crime.
"The awards are a chance to celebrate the contribution that groups are making in their own time for the good of their local community."
A panel of judges, including representatives from Humberside Police, Hull City Council and Humberside Fire and Rescue, have judged the nominations.
Mrs Wilkinson said the judges' decision was made "very tough" by the quality of work the groups have done.
She said: "The winners will receive a certificate and we are looking forward to what should be a brilliant night all round."
The charity invited the public to nominate their local groups for the Citywide Neighbourhood Network Group of the Year award, as well as seven Area Neighbourhood Network Group of the Year awards.
Overall this year, 34 nominations were made. All have been invited to tonight's ceremony at the church.
Humberside police and crime commissioner Matthew Grove will attend the ceremony.
He said: "I have seen for myself the excellent results Neighbourhood Networks can achieve.
"They go beyond traditional Neighbourhood Watch groups and include businesses and community organisations, all working to make a positive difference to improve safety and fight crime in their area.
"The police and our partners cannot defeat crime on their own.
"The public must play its part too and that is exactly what Neighbourhood Networks are doing.
"I am looking forward to the awards and I would urge anyone who wants to make a difference in their area to contact Neighbourhood Networks and get involved."
Email neighbourhoodnetwork@hullcc.gov.uk or call 01482 229666.
Alternatively, visit neighbourhoodnetworkhull.co.uk for more information.
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