FEW small communities can rival this Island when it comes to work undertaken for charities and numerous other worthy causes.

Some of those who work on behalf of others find themselves in the limelight — whether they seek it or not — but others remain unknown to the majority of Islanders.

In association with the Jersey Eve-ning Post, Flybe are again launching the Island Heroes competition to identify, highlight and reward people and organisations who expend exceptional amounts of time and effort in activities directed towards the wellbeing of the community.

The competition, now in its second year, offers three top prizes in three categories. These prizes are worth £10,000 and flight vouchers to the winners, who will follow in the footsteps of last year’s heroes, the Jersey Special Gymnastics Club, Acorn Enterprises and Family Nursing and Home Care.

Exactly who takes the top prizes will depend to an extent on the panel of judges which includes former international footballer Matt Le Tiss-ier, but it is up to Islanders to set the ball rolling and to determine the final result.

Nominations for this year’s community heroes are now open and will remain so until the end of October. Then, once a shortlist has been drawn up, JEP readers will be invited to vote for the winners.

There was no shortage of nominations last year, but Flybe’s general manager, Ian Taylor, is among those who hopes that even more people will take the trouble this year to say, in no more than 250 words, why a nominee should be recognised.

As well as being an excellent opportunity to draw attention to unsung heroes, the competition injects substantial funds and travel resources into worthwhile causes. This is perhaps its principal value, because although the Jersey public is exceptionally generous, cash is always needed to oil the wheels of charitable organisations and other worthwhile bodies not funded by the States.

In addition, Island Heroes is a real reminder of the sacrifices made by those who truly understand the importance of community effort and a means of publicising those activities which, vital as they are, might remain unrecognised or, at the very least, undervalued.