Nominations have been flooding in for the Chronicle-backed Feltham Citizen of the Year awards, run by The Centre.
Over the next three weeks, we'll be talking to the people you feel deserve recognition for their selfless work in the community.
This week, reporters Robert Cumber, Joe Jackson and Nina Rossi met some of the nominees for the Volunteer of the Year category.
PAUL Vurlan has volunteered for Feltham Open Door Project since heading south from Newcastle nearly four years ago.
The 39-year-old is a trustee at the Hanworth Road drop-in centre, which organises counselling, social events and even alternative therapies for hundreds of people with mental health problems every year.
His wife Deborah, who is also a trustee, persuaded him to get involved after she began running group meetings for the charity.
Paul, of Explorer Avenue, Staines, gives up about 10 hours a week to help run the trust, from balancing the books to unblocking loos, while holding down his busy day job as a computer programmer.
He even finds the time to volunteer for another charity based in his home town.
Such is the father-of-two's dedication, he once stayed in the centre overnight waiting for the gas repairmen to arrive before heading straight to the office.
"Most of what I do is behind the scenes, so I don't get to see much of the people benefiting," he said.
"But it's really heartwarming when they stand up at AGMs and tell their stories, saying things like they wouldn't be alive if it wasn't for the charity's support."
Joan McIntyre, who nominated Paul, described him as an 'absolute star'.
"He doesn't just do the nice jobs," she added.
"He's not afraid to get his hands dirty and he's always there when you need him."
SAMANTHA Markham's tireless work running women's football teams has won her a nomination from her own mother.
Mum of three Samantha, 32, of Orchard Road, Feltham, manages a host of squads at Bedfont Sports Club after the former trainer passed away several years ago.
The committed coach leads a senior ladies team, as well as sides ranging from under-10s to under-14s to under-10s, while also working full-time for merchandising firm Selecta.
She told the Chronicle: "I love it or I wouldn't do it. But I think it is also very important. There's nowhere round here for girls' football and it gets them off the street and away from boys.
"The teenage pregnancy rate is too high."
The lifelong Feltham resident - who went to Southville School and then Feltham Community College - is not too happy with mum Angela for nominating her.
She added: "I could kill her. I was going to nominate the club president Dave because he does so much but she got in there first."
But Angela is convinced it is Samantha who deserves the accolade.
Angela said: "She gives up all her free time getting sponsorship from people to make sure the girls and ladies get everything they need for their teams. She also has a full-time job and three children, so in my eyes deserves this award."
SAMANTHA Markham must like competition as she has nominated Bedfont Sports Club colleague Dave Reader for the award.
Samantha, of Orchard Road, said: "Dave has run Bedfont Sports Club for many years and is there all day, every day. He welcomes everyone with open arms to come down and is all for doing anything to make our community better."
EDDIE Jones is a badminton enthusiast who has passed on his love of the game to generations of young players.
Eddie, 68, of Durham Road, Feltham, has run classes in the racket sport for more than 34 years and has trained youngsters to county level competitions.
The father-of-three, who also has four grandchildren, was inspired to carry out the voluntary work by his own family.
The retired engineer said: "If the kids don't have people coming forward volunteering they wouldn't have anywhere to play. I know how important that is from my own grandchildren."
Eddie has coached two of his own kids and now his 11-year-old grandson onto the Middlesex County Badminton Squad, while hundreds of other youngsters have passed through his lessons.
"I started playing in my 30s and have taught hundreds of kids since then," he said. "It gives me a lot of pleasure and I really appreciated the nomination."
Pat Askew put forward her tireless neighbour after helping out from time to time and seeing first-hand the effort he makes with young players.
She said: "Eddie spends so much of his time
teaching badminton to young, and not so young, local people. He runs the Saturday Club and is very committed."
Classes are run from a hall next to Norwood Green Junior school in Southall.
For more information contact Eddie on 020 8890 7657.
BIG-HEARTED Nicola Fox has never been one to shy away from a challenge - especially if she sees someone in need.
The Feltham mum was only 17 when she decided to adopt her brother's baby son to stop the youngster being taken into care.
Nineteen years later she is as dedicated as ever to helping out other people - finding time to campaign and raise funds for a disabled sports group on top of caring for her own five kids, who all have medical problems.
Neighbour Karen Gurney, who nominated Nicola, said: "You'd think five kids with medical needs, three dogs and herself coping with asthma would be enough but for someone like Nicky it isn't.
"Not only working as a fundraiser for the Feltham Bees but also as a neighbour, if Nicky can help she will."
Nicola, of Waterloo Close, is described by friends as a 'Mary Poppins' figure, who is always caring for other people's kids as well as her own.
She has been volunteering with the Feltham Bees - a football club for disabled kids - for the past three years. "It's lovely to be nominated if a bit embarrassing," she said.
"So many people work hard for the Bees and I really do enjoy it. I can't imagine ever not helping them out knowing what it means to the kids."
SHABEENA Yasmeen hardly spoke any English when she began helping out at Mencap's Hounslow Volunteer Centre in Feltham.
But that hasn't stopped the 38-year-old, of Bridge Road, Hounslow, forming close bonds with dozens of users who rely on the charity in Cardinal Park Road over the last three years.
Shabeena gives up two days a week to support older
people with learning difficulties, helping with everything from computer lessons to
handing out goodies at the tuck shop.
Inspired by the selfless work of Mother Teresa, the former deputy head teacher said she was looking for a new challenge after arriving from Pakistan in 2003.
"I had no experience of helping people with learning difficulties when I started and didn't expect it to last long," she added.
"But the staff and service users are all so nice, which is why I'm still here three years later."
Maurice Cain, one of Mencap's community support workers, described Shabeena as 'one of the finest volunteers we have ever had'.
"She always has a smile on her face, is an exemplary person and a credit to the human race," he added.
DORIS Stone runs bingo clubs, lunches and outings for dozens of pensioners across Feltham despite being 86 herself.
The former switchboard operator, of Stone Crescent, Feltham, has helped out at Bedfont Lane Community Centre, where her late husband Leonard was also a regular volunteer, for more than 30 years.
She organises popular bingo sessions there every Thursday, preparing tea, soup and sandwiches which she buys herself.
Doris also runs whist and bingo sessions on Monday and Wednesday at the nearby Feltham Community Association in Feltham High Street.
As if that wasn't enough, she still finds time to organise regular trips to the pantomime and seaside, send flowers and make hospital visits whenever anyone falls ill and run a children's arts club during half terms.
"It's hard work but I enjoy every minute," said the mother-of-four, who has 18 grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren.
"We always have such a lovely time and I think it's important for us all to get out, have a laugh and look after each other."
Eileen Gray, who nominated Doris, said: "Many pensioners from Feltham, Bedfont and Hanworth would spend many hours alone if it wasn't for her."
