With thousands of charity and voluntary organisations to choose from all over the borough, working within the charity sector has never been easier or more attractive.

But with most of the satisfaction coming from seeing freedoms achieved or the setting up of new facilities and links unbolstered by profits or sparkling financial rewards charity work takes as much dedication and vision as ever.

That is why the Croydon Guardian has chosen to find a Champion of Charities someone you believe deserves to be thanked for their outstanding contribution to the sector as it continues to build on its indispensable position in the community.

We have already highlighted the successes of several young volunteers, in our involvement in helping to find a Millennium Volunteer in 2001.

Youngsters like 23-year-old Rosalba Olimpi, who started a support group for stammer sufferers after she was cured of her own life-disrupting stammer.

She said: "Up until March 2001 I had never been able to have a conversation on the telephone because my stammer was so bad."

And besides setting up the group she channelled her relief at being cured into volunteering with the Starfish Project, a charity teaching breathing techniques for controlling a stammer.

Wayne Skillern's colleagues at the High Trees Community Development Trust told us he was also worth his weight in gold.

The 19-year-old's hard work and commitment always went beyond the call of duty and he was rewarded with a job offer of project leader at the Trust, reducing the fear of crime and giving support to victims.

It's time to open up the opportunity to contributors and charity employees of all ages and levels of involvement do you know someone who fits the bill?