NOMINATIONS have opened for the annual Robert Burns Humanitarian Award.

The award, now in in 13th year, recognises those who have saved, improved or enriched the lives of others or society as a whole through personal self-sacrifice, selfless service or direct humanitarian work.

Robert Burns Humanitarian Award (RBHA) nominees can be from any part of the world and be of any age or gender, and winners receive the equivalent of 1759 guineas, approximately £1,800, – a sum which signifies the year of the Bard's birth and the coinage then in circulation – as well as a specially commissioned award handcrafted in Scotland.

Councillor Bill McIntosh, Chair of the RBHA judging panel, said: “In the current global climate, it’s painfully obvious that we don’t all enjoy the same choices, freedoms and opportunities.

"The Robert Burns Humanitarian Award is all about looking for the people who refuse to tolerate this, stand up and do something about it and push the boundaries for social change.

“It doesn’t even have to be someone you know – it could be someone you know of or have heard about and that you know is doing some terrific work to make a difference for people in difficult and unimaginable situations.

He added: “As our past finalists and winners show, nominees need to reflect Burns’ passion and determination for human rights and we know there’s lots of that on show every day, in every corner of the globe. Let’s give these people something back – nominate them for the Robert Burns Humanitarian Award 2016.”