If your charity, organisation or business has done something outstanding this year then you should enter the Isle of Man Newspapers’ Awards for Excellence.

But don’t just take our word for that. Here is what some of last year’s winners have to say:’When I won my first thought was: "I’m 50 years old, not some young whippersnapper, and I’ve just won Entrepreneur of the Year."

’What that says for me is that if I can do it anybody can,’ Bev Clegg, owner of Creative Juices and The Shed.

’This has been an extraordinary year in which the island’s businesses and wider community have pulled together to support each other through very challenging circumstances, exemplifying the island’s motto "Whithersoever you throw it, it will stand" .

’The awards are a perfect opportunity to recognise this and we would encourage all local businesses, organisations and individuals to take the plunge and get involved in this fantastic community initiative,’ Ciaran Downey, housing director at Dandara, who won the award for Sharing our Freedom to Flourish.

’The Award has been hugely beneficial to our business and endorses Manx Gas’ commitment to technology, customer engagement and training. We would firmly recommend that other Island businesses submit an application,’ Manx Gas winners of the award for Providing Excellent Customer Service.

’Entering the Awards for Excellence raised the Charity’s profile which helped enormously with our fundraising.

’This has been really helpful with our massive £1.5m project to replace the Island CT scanners,’ Julie Stokes, chairman Manx Breast Cancer Support Group who, along with the radiology department at Noble’s Hospital and the DHSC, won the award for Teamwork.

’Although everybody knows we’re here they don’t always know what we do so it increased public perception.

’And it was wonderful for all the people who work here on the site to recognise their hard work,’ Mike Rose, manager, Western Civic Amenity Site winners of Protecting our Environment.

This year’s awards offer a wide range of award categories including Supporting our Island, Doing the Impossible During the Pandemic, Our Local Heroes, Protecting our Environment and Caring for the Island’s Wellbeing.

l The awards are open to businesses of all sizes, individuals, charitable and cultural organisations and public sector teams and you can enter more than one category.

If you need advice about which category to enter and what makes a good entry you can call Trudi Williamson on 695694

You can find full information and download entry forms at www.excellence-awards.im. Entries close on Friday January 15.