City ready to celebrate volunteers' dedication

More than 100 volunteers and active citizens from across the district will be joined by the Lord Mayor of Bradford Councillor Peter Hill, deputy council leader Coun Imran Hussain, and the council's chief executive Tony Reeves to launch Active Citizens 2011.

Bradford Council, NHS Bradford and Airedale and local voluntary organisations have organised the scheme to highlight individuals and groups who give time to make valuable contributions to improve the quality of life in the district.

It is estimated that volunteers contribute more than 17m to the Bradford district economy.

However this is believed to be a fraction of unpaid work done by all those who give time to make a positive difference to their communities.

Active Citizens 2011 will run alongside the European Year of Volunteering 2011 which seeks to encourage more people to become volunteers.

Lord Mayor of Bradford Coun Peter Hill said "Most people aren't aware of the astonishing amount of unpaid work that's undertaken by local citizens.

"Thankfully Bradford is blessed with many thousands of people who give something back to their communities.

"Many people get involved because they care about their communities and gain a great sense of purpose and satisfaction by knowing they are making a positive difference to people's lives."

The Bradford campaign will feature volunteers but also include the thousands of community-minded residents who look out for vulnerable people and those who campaign to improve things or raise money for good causes.

Active Citizens 2011 also covers residents who participate in democracy or governance and people who take part in decision-making or give their time to clubs or societies.