A KIND-HEARTED friend who helps people struggling in her community has been nominated for a Community Pride Award.

Beverly Thompson has been nominated by friends Kellie Jackson, 26, and her daughter Cady Brigham, eight, in the Good Neighbour of the Year category.

Ms Thompson helped out Kellie during a particularly tough period in her life and considers her a member of the family.

Kellie suffers from Ehlers-Danlos syndrome and has been treated for a Pneumothorax – the medical term for a collapsed lung – three times, but has always been supported by Ms Thompson.

Kellie said: “I don’t really have family, but I do have Bev.

“She’s amazing to my daughter and me.

“I have Ehlers-Danlos syndrome and had Pneumothorax three times and surgery on my lungs.

“While I was stuck in hospital due to me not having close family, my daughter nearly went into care as I had to be in hospital.

“Bev moved my daughter into her house and lost her job taking care of my child. She totally cleaned my house and helped to take care of me for weeks.

“Also, her friend and neighbour got told he had lung cancer and he had no family. Bev did the same again. To the very end, she cleaned and fed and took care of him. She really is one of a kind. She doesn’t care for her own needs, she cares for others, and I want to do this to say thank you for everything.”

Other residents nominated in this category so far include Jayne Graham, who helps people in the community with anything from shopping trips and medical appointments to domestic jobs, such as gardening and cleaning.

Also nominated is pensioner Victor Goodall, 77. He has been put forward by Bishopthorpe Parish Council for an extraordinary act, which saw him credited with saving a life by the fire service.

The have-a-go-hero dragged his neighbour to safety shortly before a bedroom window of his semi-detached bungalow blew out during a fire.

The Community Pride Awards are sponsored by Benenden and jointly run by The Press and City of York Council. 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.

You can make a nomination at yorkpress.co.uk/pride saying why you think your nominee deserves an award. Entries can be submitted until Friday, July 15.