A SALVATION Army manager whose work involves 5am street walks five days a week to support the city’s homeless has collected a special award.

Charlie Malarkey received the York Community Pride Outstanding Contribution Award, sponsored by Home Instead, at a ceremony held at York Racecourse on Thursday night (September 5).

He has worked for the charity for 17 years and leads its early intervention and prevention team in York.

Along with his team, Charlie carries out the street walks to help locate and move people who are sleeping on the streets into safe accommodation, or to a hot meal, as well as running a drop-in service.

In addition, he worked with York Masters gym in Redeness Street to organise boxing and fitness sessions for ‘anyone who is homeless, or battling addiction, or suffered from mental health issues or is just lonely.’

Charlie joked he'd put a tenner on himself not winningCharlie joked he'd put a tenner on himself not winning (Image: David Harrison)

The award-night ceremony included a special video put together with testimonials from Charlie’s supporters – led by York Central MP Rachael Maskell.

She said: “Charlie is so extraordinary and is so deserving of this award.

“To see somebody so compassionate, yet being able to straight-talk to people, to help people at their time of need is incredible.”

Adding to the comment in the video was former Press reporter Stephen Lewis, who accompanied Charlie on his morning street walks and whose story stimulated hundreds of comments from readers.

Stephen said: “People who society has turned their backs on, Charlie’s there for them, and they trust him, and they know him, and he knows them and it’s just amazing to see.”

Receiving the award and an enormous round of applause from an audience who had just watched the special video on the big screen, Charlie said: “You won’t get me off this stage now.

“I’d like to thank everybody around my table – without them I couldn’t do it – and the people in recovery who are doing the sessions, it’s unbelievable.

“The video you showed with the testimonials – it was absolute class.

“To hear those words, it picks you up no end.

“The boxing does the same, but to watch that video meant more than anything, to see the recognition.

“I’d just put a tenner on myself not to win, so whoever nominated me, I want to thank them.

“It’s a cliché when you thank ‘everybody’ but I’m really proud.”