OUTSTANDING women who have been dedicated their time to helping the community will have their achievements honoured at an awards ceremony.

The Worcestershire Women of the Year 2005 awards recognise women who have made contributions through their profession, business or voluntary work.

Three finalists have been selected for each category of the St Richard's Hospice awards and the winner of the prestigious title for each group will be announced at a charity luncheon in Malvern's Madresfield Court on Wednesday, June 29. Here are the finalists for the Voluntary Award.

Jane Daniels dedicates six days a week to the Number 8 Community Arts Centre in Pershore, where she is chairman and general manager. She helped run a charity shop, which raised a staggering £600,000 to build the High Street centre. Mrs Daniels, who has lived in the town for more than 25 years was shocked to be nominated. "I was very embarrassed because I feel I am representing a team, therefore to be singled out was not something I was expecting," she said. "If the volunteers get recognised for what they do then I'm happy to represent a brilliant group of people, both male and female."

Diana Raphael has raised funds to enable the Evesham in Bloom festival to take place for 10 years and has been a town tour guide for 15 years.

She is president of Eves-ham's St John's Ambulance, the Wychavon Brass Festival and an ambassador for the girl guides, brownies and scouting association. "There's no pay, just a great deal of satisfaction," said the 66-year-old, of Boat Lane in Evesham.

"I was shocked to have been nominated and feel very humble and honoured that someone feels that I've done a good job. Mrs Raphael, who has been a town councillor for 21 years and Mayor of Evesham twice also runs a caravan park with her husband Sam.

Donna Cole felt isolated before her nine-year-old daughter Justine was diagnosed with special needs. She set up a support group called Allsorts that meet for ladies' days, quizzes and meals. "When I found out that I'd been nominated I sobbed and felt really delighted," she said. In addition, the 35-year-old, of Michael Cres-cent in Malvern set up a coffee morning for parents and works part-time.