A Duke will be lending his name to an award as part of a charity initiative to recognise the contribution of older people to communities.

The Duke of Richmond will be lending his name to a special award for the Brighton and Hove Older People’s Day Awards organised by Impact Initiatives.

Charles Henry Gordon-Lennox, the 10th Duke of Richmond, who among many notable achievements is Chairman of Goodwood Group of Companies, was Lord Lieutenant of West Sussex in the nineties and in 2004 initiated the set up of the Sussex Community Foundation and was involved in the development of Impact Initiatives in the late 1970s.

He said: “I am delighted to have an award in my name and it’s heart-warming to think that there are so many amazing people doing amazing things that are being recognised.

“Good luck to all the nominees and have a wonderful afternoon.”

The Duke of Richmond award will go to someone who has given long standing service to a charity or community group or who has been particularly innovative in supporting charitable work.

The week-long Older People’s Day event will culminate in an awards ceremony at The Grand hotel in Brighton on October 1.

Almost a quarter of Brighton and Hove’s residents are aged 50 or older and there is a series of events to celebrate age between September 29 and October 5.

There are special events happening at The Keep, Brighton Museum and Art Gallery, tea dances, talks and walks.

In line with this year’s theme of Do Something Different, the charity is also encouraging people to talk to a neighbour not spoken to before, to try a different type of food or for the more adventurous – abseiling, sailing, joining a group or riding a bike.

The awards are supported by local businesses including The Argus, Newmans Business Solutions, Gala Bingo, Brighton and Hove Buses and Active for Life and funded by Brighton and Hove City Council.

To nominate someone for an Older People’s Award look out for official nomination forms, visit impact-initiatives.org.uk, or call 01273 322940 for hard copy versions.