COMPETITION is stiffening ahead of the York Community Pride Awards 2007 - with the latest entry in the Health Service Hero category.

MacMillan nurse Debbie Johnson, 49, of Poppleton, York, has been put forward for the award - for the sterling support she gave to a family before one of them died.

Debbie, who cares for people in the community with life-limiting illnesses, has been nominated because of the help she gave to Pat Brooks, her husband, Mike, and their two daughters, during the final stages of Mike's bowel cancer.

He passed away in October last year.

Pat, 62, of Acomb, said: "Mike loved Debbie - she gave us her time, she laughed with us, cried with us, gave us so much encouragement in many different ways, and always knew how much of a struggle we were all going through."

"When our youngest daughter decided to get married, Mike was very determined to give her away. He managed the ceremony - and Debbie supported him and us so fantastically, reinforcing his belief in himself that he could do it."

"I will never forget the four months that Debbie became part of the family, and helped to pick us up after Mike died by giving me and my daughters special time to talk. Debbie was the star in all our lives."

Debbie said: "I feel it's a privilege to be involved with people at a very vulnerable time of their lives. I feel well-supported and cared for by the patients' families I work with, at a time that's extremely difficult for them. I have a lot of admiration for what people achieve in such a difficult situation."

Meanwhile, changes to this year's awards mean there is still more opportunity for unsung heroes to get their rightful recognition.

The Press has decided to widen the Health Service Hero category, to include especially-dedicated people in the health service as a whole.

To nominate a person or group for an award, fill in the coupon above.

Send us a picture of your nominee if you can, but these are non-returnable.

Send in your coupon with a supporting statement (no more than two sides of A4 paper).

If you are a local business and you'd like to support the awards, there are still a couple of categories available for you to sponsor. For details, phone Nigel Briggs on 01904 567168, or email him at nigel.briggs@ycp.co.uk.