YORK’S Person of the Year for 2016 is calling on people to nominate the “champions” of the city for this year’s Community Pride Awards.
Ian Donaghy, 46, was crowned last year’s York Community Pride Person of the Year after organising a number of successful fundraising and community events throughout the year.
His Night To Remember concert at the Barbican last March raised £22,000 for St Leonard’s Hospice and dementia projects in York.
Ian, who lives off Heslington Road, was delighted and surprised to win the award.
He explained: “It blew my socks off. I wasn’t expecting it at all. I am quite an upfront bloke and quite confident, but guys like me don’t win stuff like this. But it meant so much because I love what I do.
“My kids were very proud. I went up to collect the award with my kids, it was pretty special. I was gobsmacked.”
Ian says winning a Community Pride Award “adds momentum and impetus to the next thing you do”.
He is urging people to nominate friends, family and neighbours who they believe deserve recognition for their achievements.
He said: “I would encourage people to champion those who are doing amazing things in this city. That is what they are, champions of the city.
“There are some really tremendous people in this city, doing some stunning work outside of work in their own time.”
On the ceremony at York Racecourse, he added: “I was so impressed by the people there that night.
“There was a real big buzz of belonging. It was lovely.”
The awards are run in partnership with City of York Council and the primary sponsor is York-based healthcare organisation Benenden.
All nominees must live in, or contribute to life in, the City of York Council area. Three finalists from each category will be invited to the awards ceremony at York Racecourse in October, when the winners will be revealed.
Entries can be submitted to York Community Pride Awards, The Press, 84-86 Walmgate, York YO1 9YN. You can also nominate online at yorkpress.co.uk/ communitypride
The closing date for entries is Friday, July 21.
You must include a supporting statement of no more than two sides of A4 with each nomination, and may include a picture, which unfortunately we will be unable to return.
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