York Community Pride Awards finalists announced

MEET the finalists of our Community Pride Awards – the ordinary men, women and children who are York’s unsung heroes.

They have impressed judges with their extraordinary stories, and have now been invited to our sparkling awards ceremony at York Racecourse in October.

Scores of nominations have poured into our Walmgate offices over the past few months, and our judges have spent many hours deliberating to come up with three finalists from each of the 13 categories.

We have received entries for charity workers, businesses, public sector workers, parents, teachers, children, health workers, sports people, teenagers, community organisations and schools – all the people and groups that have done York proud with their outstanding contribution to city life.

Steve Hughes, managing editor of The Press, said: “We have had quite a bumper crop of entries this year and the quality has just been better than ever.

“I know the judges have had some very tough decisions to make and we congratulate all the nominees, including those who didn’t make the shortlist – because they all deserve recognition for the amazing work they do to make York a better place to live.”

Our awards scheme, which is run in conjunction with City of York Council and Benenden Healthcare Society, is now in its seventh year.

Among the nominees to make it to the final shortlist are three children with three astonishing tales of courage.
Blaise Etheridge-Clarke, of Rawcliffe, has displayed exceptional bravery since being diagnosed with terminal cancer last year.

The three-year-old has already survived a nine-hour operation to remove part of a tumour from his brain, and is now undergoing 12 months of intensive chemotherapy to prolong his life.

But despite being in constant pain and spending lengthy stays in hospital, his mum, Theresa, said Blaise never felt sorry for himself and never complained.

Meanwhile, plucky William Rhodes, from Holgate, has to endure blood transfusions every five weeks to combat the life-threatening disease, Diamond Blackfan Anaemia.

His mum, Caroline, described him as a “true fighter”.

The third finalist in the Child Of The Year category is four-year-old Jamie Inglis, who has won the hearts of York people during his gutsy battle with cancer.

The youngster, from Elvington, is currently receiving revolutionary treatment in the USA to reduce the chances of the disease ever returning.

Spirit Of Youth
Joe Armer, 16, York’s former deputy member for the UK Youth Parliament, who has dedicated hours of his spare time to making the city a better place for young people.

Gutsy teenager Sasha Dhesi, who showed immense resilience to walk again after being told by doctors she would probably always be wheelchair-bound after suffering a stroke when she was 12.

Luke Tattersall, a 17-year-old volunteer whose many commitments include playing games with dementia patients and helping younger pupils at All Saints RC School with their homework.

Public Sector Hero
Estate worker David Fisher, who has been hailed as a hero by residents on the Foxwood estate for transforming the area since he took up the role earlier this year.

Retired police constable Gordon Keenan, who was a huge support to many grieving families as officer for York’s coroner.

Wayne Robson, who was described as the “eyes and ears of the community” by residents of Lindsey Avenue, where he always goes the extra mile in his job as an estate worker.

Child Of The Year
Three-year-old Blaise Etheridge-Clarke, of Rawcliffe, who has shown incredible bravery in his fight against terminal cancer.

Plucky Jamie Inglis, of Elvington, whose courageous battle with cancer at the age of four has touched the hearts of so many people.

One-year-old William Rhodes, of Holgate, who is still smiling despite battling a life-threatening disease that means he must endure blood transfusions every five weeks

Charity Fundraiser Of The Year
Rob and Kath Aveyard, who have raised more than £80,000 for charity in memory of their 11-year-old daughter, Bryony, who died after suffering a brain haemorrhage.

Family and friends of York war hero Matthew Hatton, who have trekked to the top of Africa’s highest summit, raising more than £70,000 in his memory for Help For Heroes.

Aerobics instructor Rachel Speight, of Haxby, who recruited more than 100 women to join her at the York Race For Life and gave up her time to run free training sessions.

Parent Of The Year
Joanne Cooke, of Acomb, who was nominated by her ten-year-old son, Luke, for being so supportive in helping him overcome his dyslexia.

Nell Davitt, of Heworth, who has remained strong for the rest of her family despite losing her husband and eldest son in a light aircraft crash.

Claire Reynolds, of Acomb, who juggles teaching and fundraising with being a wonderful mum to her four daughters – two of whom have special needs.

Teacher Of The Year
Andrea Burton, who has devoted 35 years to helping children at Carr Infants School fulfil their potential.

Nichola Crawford, assistant head teacher at Canon Lee School, who was described by one Year 11 pupil as a “brilliant inspiration”.

The head of music at Millthorpe School, Boyce Jackson, whose energy and creativity have instilled confidence in his pupils.

Volunteer Of The Year
Joan Eastwood, 83, of Strensall, who has dedicated the past 30 years of her life to running New Earswick and District Disabled Social Club.

Martin Taylor, who has been championing the rights of adults with learning difficulties for more than a decade through his charity, Vision Of Life.

Harold Wood, 86, who has given 40 years of dedicated voluntary service to Copmanthorpe Recreation Centre, almost single-handedly looking after the facilities

Health Service Hero
Nicola Barker, deputy sister of Ward 11 at York Hospital, whose determination to raise awareness of vascular disease has been inspirational.

Lorraine Kerr, who provides a lifeline service for families of children with disabilities and was described by one mother and father as a “rock in a stormy sea”.

Michelle Kirkman and Claire Thompson, who work as administrators at the Cancer Care Centre at York Hospital. The pair worked tirelessly to improve support for patients with cancer, also raising several thousand pounds for the centre.


Sporting Hero
Derek Lancaster, whose contribution to junior cricket in York has been outstanding, both as a coach and an administrator.

Rugby Union stalwart Allan Robertshaw, who has been described as the “heartbeat” of York RUFC.

Phil Sanderson, whose passion and commitment to Hamilton Panthers Football Club over the past 20 years is astonishing

Person Of The Year
Second World War veteran Ted Griffiths, of Heworth, has organised York’s Festival of Remembrance for the past 20 years. The 90-year-old has also helped raise hundreds and thousands of pounds for The Royal British Legion’s Poppy Appeal.

Breast cancer survivor Angie Grinham, of Upper Poppleton, who has launched a massive fundraising campaign for Macmillan Nurses, despite still recovering from the disease.

Bob Purrington, who suffers from Parkinson’s disease, but did not let the condition stop him from completing a gruelling Ironman Triathlon in aid of the charity he set up to help mentor vulnerable young people in York.

Service With A Smile
York’s home and garden store, Barnitts, whose friendly staff constantly go the extra mile to help customers.

Bayliss Mobility, in Walmgate, whose owners, Gary and Carol Braithwaite, go to extraordinary lengths to help the elderly and disabled people of York.

The Glen Respite Centre, in Clifton, whose caring staff provide a home-from-home for severely disabled young people in York

Best Community Project
Friends of Fulford Community Orchard, who have brought a neglected orchard next to the Designer Outlet Village back to life, even uncovering endangered species.

Edible York, whose imaginative idea to create a public vegetable plot in Paragon Street means passers-by can now help themselves to a range of fresh produce.

Young Carers Revolution, a group of 12 to 20-year-olds in York who combine studying and part-time work with caring for their sick relatives, for their inspirational media campaign to raise awareness of the needs of young carers

Best Primary School Project
Carr Junior School, whose pupils have led a vigorous campaign to rid York’s streets of dog dirt.

Naburn Primary School, whose eco-team has worked tirelessly to make the school more environmentally-friendly.

Robert Wilkinson Primary School, whose pupils have been learning how to cook with produce they have grown in the Strensall school’s vegetable garden.