THE York Community Pride Awards have been hailed as the perfect way to recognise the work of “amazing people” in the city.

York City fan Ian Jones was named Charity Fundraiser of the Year for 2016 and he is now urging people to come forward with nominations for this year’s awards.

“I hope that this year yet more amazing people can get the same recognition,” said Ian.

Judges handed Ian the award after he organised two 172-mile charity bike rides between York City’s Bootham Crescent ground and Northampton Town’s Sixfields stadium.

York Press:

Ian and his fellow Minstermen supporters were inspired to raise money for the British Heart Foundation after witnessing the tragic death from a heart attack of Northampton supporter David Henderson after a game between the two sides in January 2014.

The two bike rides, in 2015 and 2016, raised more than £17,000.

Ian said: “I still can’t believe that I won the award. When we set out on the first bike ride to make £500 for the BHF, I never thought that we’d grow and make it into two events with the number of cyclists partaking and over £17,000 raised.

“We never set out to be recognised by this award and simply wanted to help a family when they needed it.

“Nevertheless, to be recognised by winning the award fills me with great pride, that other people deem what we achieved as something worth celebrating. All finalists in this category last year deserved this award in my eyes, as all their stories and what they have achieved were truly amazing.”

As well as the Charity Fundraiser of the Year award, nominations are also being sought for categories including Public Sector Hero, Child of the Year, Volunteer of the Year, Health Service Hero, Sporting Hero, Good Neighbour of the Year, Person of the Year, Spirit of Youth, Teacher of the Year, School of the Year and Best Community Project.

The awards are run in partnership with City of York Council and the primary sponsor is York-based healthcare organisation Benenden.

All nominees must live in, or contribute to life in, the City of York Council area. Three finalists from each category will be invited to the awards ceremony at York Racecourse in October, when the winners will be revealed.

Entries can be submitted to York Community Pride Awards, The Press, 84-86 Walmgate, York YO1 9YN.

You can also nominate online at yorkpress.co.uk/communitypride.

The closing date for entries is Friday, July 21.

You must include a supporting statement of no more than two sides of A4 with each nomination, and may include a picture, which unfortunately we will be unable to return.