York Salvation Army manager Charlie Malarkey was among many special recipients in the The Press’ Community Pride Awards, sponsored by Fera Science Limited.
All winners of the popular awards for York’s ‘unsung heroes’ were announced last night (September 5) in a ceremony at York Racecourse.
Charlie scooped the York Community Pride Outstanding Contribution Award.
He has worked for the Salvation Army for 17 years and leads its early intervention and prevention team in York.
Charlie and his team carry out street walks five days a week, as early as 5am, to help locate and move people sleeping on the streets to safe accommodation or a hot meal, as well as running a drop-in service.
He also organises free boxing and fitness sessions at the York Masters gym in Redeness Street for ‘anyone who is homeless, or battling addiction, or suffered from mental health issues or is just lonely'.
A special video was made for the awards night for Charlie, where well-wishers, led by York Central MP Rachael Maskell, highlighted his rapport, determination and persuasion in striving to get the best results for every single person he meets in his role.
Last night’s ceremony paid tribute to local heroes ranging from Young Person of the Year to School of the Year.
Cain North - an incredibly brave 22-year-old given one year to live after being diagnosed with a brain tumour – won in the Charity Fundraiser of the Year category.
Over £15,000 has been raised so far for OSCAR’s Paediatric Brain Tumour Charity since his own radiotherapy ended in September 2023.
Other winners included Young Person of the Year Isabella Martinez, a teenager whose fundraising and behind-the-scenes work for OSCAR’s Paediatric Brain Tumour Charity led to her being chosen as a ‘Children’s Champion’ for the organisation.
Jo Jackson won the Volunteer of the Year award - she has raised more than £350,000 for Cancer Research UK as chair of Relay for Life, a 24-hour event held every year, on top of a 20-year stint of fundraising for the charity.
The other winners were:
- Health Service Hero – Joanne Slimene
- Public Sector Hero – Paul Cording BEM
- Education Hero of the Year – Sharon Senior
- Best Community Project – Shamim Eimaan
- Carer of the Year – Helen Clark
- Sportsperson / Team of the Year – York RI AFC Ladies Football
- School of the Year – St Paul’s CE Primary School
Nigel Burton, editor at The Press, said: ‘These awards are about the good that people do for each other.
"Throughout the year we have featured uplifting stories about people who show outstanding courage in trying circumstances, who put others before themselves, about the unsung heroes who work tirelessly to make their communities better and always go the extra mile.
"Young and old, community groups, good neighbours and businesses - all of them willing to put their own needs aside to support the people and communities they care about.
"We were inundated with examples of selfless service to the needs of others, and it was an incredibly difficult task for the judges to select the finalists.
"Category winners or not, there were no losers among this year’s finalists, everyone who made the shortlist should be very proud."
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