DEDICATED volunteers who give so much to their local communities in and around Darlington have been honoured at a special ceremony.

The town's second volunteering awards saw individuals and organisations who work tirelessly to make a difference to people's lives, recognised for their invaluable contribution.

Scores of people attended the awards ceremony yesterday afternoon at Carmel RC Technology College.

This year's overall individual winner was Alistair Campbell, who was recognised for setting up a Parkinsons Disease Society support group in Darlington more than three years ago.

Mr Campbell felt there was a strong need for a support group to help sufferers in the town and, with the backing of a medical team from Darlington Memorial Hospital, he founded the society and is now its chairman.

As a Parkinsons sufferer for more than 15 years, Mr Campbell believes regular meetings give people a reason to get up and socialise.

Yesterday he said: "I am absolutely overwhelmed. Some of the other nominees have been doing it for a lifetime, so why me?

"This is an award for the whole committee who work so hard."

The event was organised by Darlington's Council for Voluntary Service (CVS) and Volunteer Bureau, and compered by Peter Barron, editor of The Northern Echo.

Ian Rogers, chief officer of Darlington CVS, said: "Volunteering touches everything and, with it being the Year Of The Volunteer, it was important that individuals as well as organisations were honoured. A lot of volunteer work stems from somebody recognising a particular need and Alistair Campbell is a perfect example of that."

Mr Campbell will now go on to the Darlington Citizen of the Year awards.

Category winners

Improving the quality of life for the organisation's service users, sponsored by Darlington Borough Council's libraries and community learning service - The Friends of Darlington Memorial Hospital volunteer car driver service for patients

Also nominated: Christians Against Poverty Group; Darlington and District Talking Newspaper; the executive committee of Darlington & Durham County Racial Equality Council; Darlington Association on Disability after-school holiday playcare scheme (DASH); Darlington Coronary Support Group; First Stop Darlington; Guide Dogs for the Blind; Stop2Night

Using volunteers to enhance the effectiveness of the organisation, sponsored by Sure Start - The volunteer team at St Teresa's Hospice

Also nominated: : Darlington and District Talking Newspapers; Darlington Coronary Support Group; Friends of Darlington Memorial Hospital volunteer car driver service for patients

Developing volunteers by giving them experience in transferable skills, sponsored by the Learning and Skills Council - First Stop Darlington

Also nominated: : Darlington Association on Disability's peer support project; Darlington Mind white dove computer project.

Individual volunteer winners awards, sponsored by Darlington Primary Care Trust and Northumbrian Water: Phil Smith, of Stop2Night; Chris Gibson, who has run a Saturday morning club for Top Deck; Trish Marsh, of Family Help; Dee Wastnedge, of Family Help; Paul Greenwood, of Darlington and District Talking Newspaper; Damien Hughf, of 50plus Age Concern; Linda Chadd, of Victim Support; Michael Nicholson, of Victim Support; Jean Thurkettle of Darlington Patient and Public Involvement Forum; Greta Sanderson, of Darlington Operatic Society; Glenison Marshall, of Darlington Mind; Gordon Wilcock, of Darlington Coronary Support Group; Mike Pease, of St Teresa's Hospice; Marion Pickersgill, of Cruse Bereavement Care; Ruby Parvin, of 50plus Age Concern.