THE hunt is on for community projects which make a difference to lives in York for this year's Community Pride awards.

The award is once again sponsored by the Joseph Rowntree Foundation, and now the judges are appealing for nominations about the inspirational projects at work in the city.

The award is for informal voluntary groups which make a difference to life in the city - like last year's winners the York Foodbank.

At October's awards ceremony, when all the 2013 winners were celebrated, judges said the foodbank deserved to be recognised for being a “wonderful voluntary response to people who have fallen on hard times”.

Between its foundation in 2012 and the award in October 2013, the foodbank helped more than 2,000 people with emergency food parcels The judges said that while it was sad there should be a need for its help, it was a community effort which has pulled together to help others and encapsulated the whole ethos of the award.

Now the sponsors and judges alike want to hear about this year's inspiring projects, and are relying on Press readers to put forward the projects they think deserve praise.

They could, like the foodbank, help people who have fallen on hard times, or they could reflect the other groups at work in the city.

Among those shortlisted last year were Treemendous York, which has made York a greener place for generations to come; Bishophill Community Garden, which has helped build a community; and the Village Café in Fulford which works to relieve loneliness for many.

The Community Project of the Year category is one of three group and 10 individual categories in the Community Pride awards, which are sponsored by Benenden Health.

Nominees must live in the City of York Council area, or make a significant contribution to the city.

For more information or to make a nomination, go to thepress.co.uk/pride

Nominations can also be sent by post to Paula Homer, PA to the editor, The Press, 76-86 Walmgate, York YO1 9YN before Friday, July 18, with details including a supporting statement of no more than two sides of A4 with each nomination. You may also include a picture, which unfortunately we will be unable to return.