The Duchess of Cornwall and the Royal Voluntary Service have announced a new awards scheme to mark the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee.

The Platinum Champions Awards will celebrate volunteers from across the nation who have made a difference in their communities.

There will be seven awards categories: “older people, children, crisis and welfare, community, mental health, physical health, and supporting the NHS and social care,” explained a release, with a total of 70 volunteers awarded for each.

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All volunteers receiving the honour will also be awarded a specially designed pin and signed certificate from the Duchess of Cornwall. 10 outstanding volunteers from the categories will also be invited to a special Big Jubilee Lunch.

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Celebrations and events to mark the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee have already begun.

The Royal Voluntary service are asking the public to nominate volunteers who could be considered for the award. If there is someone in your community who you think deserves recognition for the work they do, you can nominate them on the Platinum Champions nomination page. Nominations close on 10 April.

An expert judging panel consisting of specialists in the volunteering field, academics, charity leaders and famous faces will decide the finalists based on “their impact to the lives of others, their dedication to volunteering and on how much they inspire other people.”

Speaking of the new awards scheme in a release, Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall said she was, “so delighted to be launching the Platinum Champions Volunteer Awards alongside Royal Voluntary Service.”

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London’s Piccadilly Square lit up to commemorate 70 years to the day that the Queen ascended to the throne, on 6 February.

She added that the initiative was established, “in honour of Her Majesty The Queen’s 70 years of service,” and that it aims to “celebrate the outstanding contribution of volunteers” and to “thank and recognise all of those truly special people that are making a real difference to our communities with their kindness and generosity.”

Stories from the awards will be broadcast on BBC’s The One Show and Morning Live. The One Show presenter Alex Jones said in the release that she was, “excited to help shine a light on the Platinum Champions,” adding, “we can’t wait to find out who you nominate and hear about all the amazing work they’ve done.”

Famous faces including Strictly’s Oti Mabuse and This Morning’s Phillip Schofield are also backing the new awards.