A LIFESAVING organisation set up to prevent tragic deaths in York's rivers has been nominated for an award by a victim's mother.

York Rescue Boat has been nominated in the Charity Fundraiser and Community Project of the Year categories in the 2015 Community Pride Awards by Jackie Roberts.

Mrs Robert's daughter, York St John University student Megan Roberts, 20, fell in the Ouse and drowned last January following a night out with friends in the city centre.

In the months following her daughter's death, Mrs Roberts has backed river safety campaigns and supported the emergency team's efforts to set up an organisation which looks out for anyone in danger of entering the water.

Mrs Roberts said: "I've supported York Rescue Boat since my daughter Megan died in the River Ouse in York last year.

"They are a fantastic organisation who are now really proving their worth in the prevention of river fatalities in the city.

"The charity has huge support from the local community both in York and Wetherby where we live and raised enough money to become fully operational earlier this year.

"Dave Benson set the charity up and deserves recognition for his idea and perseverance in getting this project up and running.

"It is an asset to the city of York."

The charity was founded by Mr Benson in 2014 and began operations during the weekend of the inaugural Tour de Yorkshire.

He said: "It's great to be nominated because there has been a lot of hard work on my part but especially the volunteers, and if I was to receive anything it would be on behalf of the volunteers and charity.

"It's because of people like Jackie that I set this up and it highlights the positive work we are doing."

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

All Community Pride nominees must live in, or contribute to life in, the City of York Council area.

Around three finalists from each category will be invited to the awards ceremony at York Racecourse in October, when the winners will be revealed.

You can make a nomination at www.yorkpress.co.uk/communitypride.

Entries must be submitted by Friday, July 17.