A GROUP of knitters and an enthusiastic shop worker have been nominated for Fundraiser of the Year at this year’s Community Pride Awards.

Hazel Dymock, or Dimmy to her friends, works at the Co-Operative in Haxby, and was nominated by her friend Samantha Richardson.

Samantha said Hazel led fundraising events for local charities and that “each new fundraiser is fun and exciting, showing her enthusiasm and passion for helping others.

“She is a truly unique, special and selfless person. Her passion and commitment to charity fundraising is next to none, and her next event is a walk over hot coals, which shows the lengths she will go to.”

Previous fundraising events have included a head shave, a day in the stocks being pelted with wet sponges, and dressing as mascots for charities including SNAPPY and Mencap.

Team RAW is a group of friends and sisters who have joined together to raise money for Cancer Research UK, after they were all affected by the disease in various ways.

Rachel Speight from Haxby nominated the group, which consists of Veronica Dobson, Tina Feder, Sarah Stower, Becky Brunt, Sarah Gordon, Christine Corkindale and Helen Billington.

Rachel said the group’s idea to knit scarves the length of the York Bar Walls was their biggest achievement so far. She said: “2,832 were needed, but in the end more than 4,700 were knitted from around the UK and they raised over £6,000.

“The group always try to do something new that everyone can take part in to raise money The next challenge is to knit the York racecourse 5k distance in scarves to raise £10,000.”

Nominations for the 2011 Community Pride awards are now closed and a shortlist of finalists will be announced later.