A RECORD number of nominations have been received for this year’s JEP Pride of Jersey Awards.

Nominations are now closed for the eighth annual awards, which has seen 257 worthy Islanders and organisations put forward across 14 categories.

This year’s total has smashed the previous record of 177 nominations.

The category with the highest number of nominations this year is Community Champion of the year, with 40 nominees.

JEP deputy editor Richard Heath said: ‘To say we are delighted with the response this year is a huge understatement.

‘To have a record number of nominations in the event’s eighth year shows not only just how many unsung heroes there are out there, but how their community spirited endeavours are valued by other Islanders.

‘We will continue to publish stories on each and every nominee over the coming weeks, and I look forward to sharing more exciting news about this year’s ceremony soon.’

The Gary Burgess Award will also be returning for a second year, now sponsored by Ports of Jersey. The awards which celebrates the memory of the late journalist and broadcaster, recognises an exceptional Islander who has acted as a ‘guiding light for the community’.

Unlike the other 14 categories, the winner of the Gary Burgess Award will be chosen by media colleagues and friends of the former journalist, joined by a representative of the award sponsor.

Last year’s Gary Burgess Award winner, Ben Mason, was also crowned winner of two other categories, Volunteer/Fundraiser of the Year and Mental Health Champion of the Year, for raising over £100,000 following the passing of his younger sister Kezia Mason, who died by sucide in 2022.

Voting will open later this month for the public to shortlist the final three nominees in each category. A panel of judges, comprising the previous year’s winner, a representative of the award sponsor, and a JEP employee, will then decide the overall winners.