AN INSPIRATIONAL teacher has been nominated for a Community Pride award after helping a struggling youngster with schoolwork.

Chris Wilson, 29, a teacher at Fulford's Danesgate School, has been put forward in the Teacher of the Year category by the mum of his pupil, Ruby Lingwood.

The school is specifically for young people who require specialist teaching, and Mr Wilson has inspired Ruby, who has Asperger Syndrome.

Mr Wilson's teaching has sparked Ruby's love of maths to help her achieve an A* grade.

Mum Becky, from Elvington, said: "The team of tutors at Danesgate and Chris in particular have been a Godsend for us.

"Not only has Chris helped her academically; he has kept our faith and spirits up, helped to bring laughter into our lives and helped Ruby's self esteem. "He had contacts at Cambridge University and took Ruby to have a look around and meet the students there with Asperger Syndrome.

"I don't know what we would have done without him and the tutors at Danesgate. He understood that Ruby has a talent for maths, but he also knew that her anxiety and fear of crowds needed to be understood; that mental health is not always something you can tell from the outside.

"Danesgate deserves so much more recognition for what it achieves in helping those who struggle mentally, yet put on a brave facade to the outside world."

Mr Wilson added: "I'm really surprised to be nominated and didn't have a clue what this was about.

"I get on really well with Ruby and it has been a privilege to work with her over the last two years."

The Community Pride Awards are run by The Press and City of York Council, and the principal sponsor is Benenden.

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

About 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 online at yorkpress.co.uk/communitypride.

Entries must be submitted by Friday, July 15.