Suffolk Chamber of Commerce is supporting an award recognising how businesses in the county are working with community groups and charities.

The chamber is sponsoring the Corporate Community Partnership category of the annual High Sheriff’s Awards, which celebrate contributions throughout the voluntary sector and are administered by the Suffolk Community Foundation.

Businesses need to be nominated by the community group or charity with which they have worked, with entries required to show benefits, in terms of local citizenship, community safety or crime prevention, which help make Suffolk a better place to live.

John Dugmore, chief executive of Suffolk Chamber, said: “These awards are a great occasion to highlight, recognise and thank those who undertake freely so much volunteering in this great county.

“Suffolk Chamber of Commerce is delighted to be supporting the High Sheriff’s awards this year, and in particular the category of Corporate Community Partnership of the Year.

“It is an opportunity to recognise those unsung heroes in business who give their time to support their local community and link the world of business with the wider community, right across Suffolk.”

The awards, launched by this year’s High Sheriff of Suffolk, Judith Shallow, last month, also include categories for Community Group or Organisation of the Year, Volunteer of the Year, Under 25 Young Volunteer of the Year, Youth Organisation of the Year, Lifetime Achievement and, new this year, a High Sheriff’s Special Award for the Arts. Other sponsors include Ipswich Building Society, Thurlow Nunn Standen, EDF Energy and Go Ape!

For entry forms and further details visit http://suffolkcf.org.uk and click on “Apply” or call 01473 786919. The closing date for entries is Monday, January 25, 2016, and the winners will be announced during a ceremony at the Museum of East Anglian Life in Stowmarket on Thursday, March 31.