A MUCH-VALUED neighbourhood volunteer service has been nominated for a York Community Pride award.

Haxby Helpers is a group of about 40 volunteers which helps people in Haxby and Wigginton who have difficulty in getting out into the community.

Run by a small group of co-ordinators, the City of York Council-funded service delivers postcards to each house in the area every two years highlighting its free services.

Anyone who needs help going out to get their shopping, cannot get out to visit the chiropodist by themselves, or needs an urgent prescription, can ring the co-ordinators, who will arrange for a volunteer to pick them up.

Haxby Helper Margaret Beech, who nominated the group for the Transpennine Express-sponsored Best Community Project award, said the service was mainly used by the elderly, but was open to anyone.

Renee Kirkland, 84, who lives in sheltered housing in Haxby, has used the service for about 15 years.

She said: "It's a wonderful service, it really is. I can't recommend them highly enough. I don't know what I would have done without them.

"I am very restricted in my movements, but I can get round the supermarket while they go and pay my paper bill.

"When I get home I feel satisfied - it boosts me up.

"If I couldn't go, they would take my shopping list for me, but I prefer to go myself if I can."

Jenny Gibbons, who started Haxby Helpers in 1986, said: "I could see that there was a need for a transport group in Haxby and Wigginton.

"Anyone who's in a bit of a fix can use us."

The search for York's community heroes is on.

To nominate yours, 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 December 1.

We are also looking for more businesses to sponsor the awards.

For more information on sponsoring an award category, phone Nigel Briggs at the Evening Press, on 01904 653051, or email nigel.briggs@ycp.co.uk.

Haxby Helpers is always looking for more volunteers.

Anyone who is interested should phone the service on 01904 750266.

Updated: 08:39 Wednesday, June 02, 2004