Unsung heroes dedicated to giving up their time to volunteer in the borough were recognised at an awards ceremony earlier this month.

Epsom Council and Voluntary Action Mid Surrey (VAMS) celebrated the commitment of volunteers at the annual Epsom and Ewell Volunteer Awards held at the town hall on June 5.

24 winners were recognised for work ranging from helping victims of crime, supporting the elderly, raising awareness of mental health issues, helping disadvantaged and disabled people, supporting families and young people and working with the recently bereaved.

Nominations came in from organisations including The Sunnybank Trust, Wallace Fields Junior School, Epsom and Ewell Citizens’ Advice Bureau, Cruse Bereavement Care, Victim Support, The Longmead Centre, The Wells Centre, Epsom and Ewell Home Start, Age Concern Epsom and Ewell, Phab, Epsom and Ewell Meal on Wheels, Conquest Art, Christ Church Epsom Common, Love Me Love My Mind, Epsom and Ewell Foodbank, Bourne Hall Museum and The Alzeihmers Society.

Epsom’s mayor Councillor Robert Foote, who presented the awards, said: "Volunteers are very special people who give freely of their time. 

"It was a great privilege for me to be able to mark their achievements and to thank them on behalf of the borough."

Julia Gallagher, volunteering development manager for VAMS, added: "Many of the winners have often volunteered for decades and this gives us a great opportunity to recognise and thank these often overlooked ‘local heroes’."

For more information call Voluntary Action Mid Surrey on 01372 740394 or visit www.vamidsurrey.org.