A WEIGHT-loss group which seized the initiative to buy new equipment and bring members closer together has been nominated for a Community Pride Award.

The Weigh Together Group, which meets weekly at Bell Farm community centre, is made up of people with various learning disabilities, many of whom found it difficult to use ordinary weighing equipment, either through problems with balance or accessibility.

The group was nominated for the Best Community Project category by Claire Smith, who praised their hard work and determination.

Claire said: “This is a group of people with learning disabilities who have come together as they found it difficult to use standing scales, so weren’t able to be weighed as there were no easily accessible facilities. The group did a sponsored walk along the river from Lendal Bridge to Clifton Bridge, and raised a thousand pounds, which enabled them to buy some wheelchair accessible scales.”

Since the group bought the scales, they have run a regular session at Bell Farm community centre on Tuesday mornings, and participants have developed new friendships, as well as the improved facilities.

The group was founded by Andrew Wood, team leader of the NHS adult learning disability team for York and Selby. He said: “It’s absolutely fantastic to be recognised. I’m paid to come to work and part of my job to promote healthy lifestyle for people, but I’m pleased for the members of the group because they’ve really come together.

“All the members have a disability of some kind, and they decided that they wanted to start the group, and still make most of the decisions.”

This is the eighth annual Community Pride Awards, organised by The Press with City of York Council and local businesses to recognise and reward the city’s unsung heroes. All nominees must live or be based in the City of York Council tax area, and the winners will be invited to a ceremony on October 20.

Nominations can be made online before Friday, July 22.