TWO tireless charity workers have been nominated for community awards for giving up their time to help a cash-strapped York organisation.

The Older Citizens Advocacy Service (OCAY), which in March missed out on £16,000 of council funding it asked for, has nominated two of its volunteers for our York Community Pride awards.

Group treasurer Derek Phoenix, of Milton Carr in York, has been put forward in the Volunteer Of The Year category, sponsored by York solicitors' firm Harrowell Shaftoe.

Derek, a retired accountant, said he was "thrilled to bits" to have been nominated.

OCAY manager Linda Tester said in a supporting letter: "No award can ever begin to express how much we value Derek's professionalism and friendship. We want this quiet unassuming man to be acknowledged publicly as a 'treasure of a treasurer'.

"On a cold, snowy Saturday in February he could be found at York station with a collecting box for OCAY - such is his dedication."

Fellow OCAY volunteer Ann Patricia Greenwood has also been nominated by the charity in the Fundraiser Of The Year category.

Ann, who first began working for OCAY in 2002, has helped the charity raise vital funds by helping organise coffee mornings, sponsored walks, street collections and a raffle - along with many other events.

She said OCAY was a "brilliant charity".

"It helps older people that often don't have the money or support to pay for the advice that OCAY can give them," she added.

"I'm so proud to be nominated - I'm absolutely knocked out."

Linda said: "Always one step ahead of the game and with her ear to the ground for more possible ideas, Annie's contribution to OCAY has been tremendous."

Do you know anyone you would like to see nominated for our Community Pride awards? Following the success of last year's campaign, we are on the hunt for more unsung heroes of the community - people who have made an outstanding contribution to their neighbourhood or workplace.

To nominate your heroes, fill in the entry form on this page, remembering to include the category for which you are entering, and giving reasons on no more than two sides of A4.

Our judges will select three finalists in each category, and winners will be announced at an awards ceremony on October 20.

We still need sponsors for our awards. For more information on sponsoring an award category, phone Nigel Briggs at the Evening Press, on 01904 567168, or email nigel.briggs@ycp.co.uk

Updated: 11:49 Tuesday, May 10, 2005