Colleges have just over a week left to nominate their volunteering and fundraising champions for this year’s Good for Me Good for FE awards. Entries close on 9 October for the fourth annual awards, which recognise staff, students and teams who have made a difference in their communities. This year, a special award will honour David Gallagher, former NCFE chief executive and supporter of the campaign, who died earlier this year. Nominations are currently open for twelve categories covering student and staff volunteers and fundraisers, volunteering projects, inspirational role models and community partnerships. Student and college changemaker excellence awards will also recognise achievements through the campaign’s volunteering programme, which rewards learners’ skills and commitment with digital badges. One winner and two highly commended finalists will be selected in each category, with successful nominees announced at the Association of Colleges’ annual conference in November. Winners will then be invited to a House of Lords celebration hosted by former higher education minister Lord Johnson of Marylebone on 11 December. Among last year’s winners was USP College, which received the volunteering accreditation excellence award after taking part in the pilot that helped develop the changemaker programme. More than 100 students contributed 1,080 hours to community projects. The college said: “This programme gives the students something tangible for their hard work, and many ended up doing far more volunteering hours than were required, which was fantastic!” Queen Mary’s College took last year’s overall award after nearly 1,000 first-year students raised more than £30,000 for over 100 charities through its social action programme. Mark Henderson, college principal, said: “We are so proud to receive this award, but it is all about our first-year students. They absolutely shattered our expectations, putting in huge effort and raising an amazing amount of money. It just shows what young people can do when you give them an opportunity and put your trust in them!” The individual fundraiser of the year award went to James Shields, an accounting lecturer at Loughborough College Group, who raised more than £10,000 to support a colleague with a rare brain tumour, organising sponsored walks, raffles and a half-marathon. This year’s judges include FE commissioner Ellen Thinnesen, AoC chief executive David Hughes, Natspec chief executive Clare Howard and Chartered Institution for Further Education director Lesley Davies. The awards are sponsored by NCFE, NAMSS and FE Associates, in partnership with The Skills Network. FE Week is the media partner. Nominations must be submitted through the Good for Me Good for FE website by 9 October.