A COMMUNITY group which aims to bring the residents of Woodthorpe in York closer together is in the running to win a prestigious award.

Woodthorpe York Community Group, launched in February 2016, has been nominated for a Community Pride Award in the Best Community Project category.

Christine Johnson, 45, of Crummock, Woodthorpe, has nominated the group for doing a “wonderful job” of bringing spirit to Woodthorpe, and says its efforts are appreciated by many local residents.

In August 2016, the group arranged a family fun day on Woodthorpe Green which Christine says was a “great success” in bringing people together and raising money for charities.

Last December, the group also organised a Christmas celebration near the shops in Moorcroft Road, Woodthorpe, which included a Christmas tree, Christmas lights and Santa himself joined in the fun.

It is planning another fun day to take place on August 12 this year, in aid of St Leonard’s Hospice and Dementia Yorkshire.

Sarah Brown, the group’s secretary, decided to create the group as she believed Woodthorpe needed a community hub. She said: “I got a few other people to join and we set up a committee. It is a lot of work but I really enjoy it. The summer and Christmas events were a big success.”

She said it is a “bit of a shock” that the group has been nominated for a Community Pride Award.

“It is good to be appreciated,” she added.

As well as organising events, the group has also completed a community survey. Following this, it is working closely with City of York Council to upgrade the play area on Woodthorpe Green.

The group, which has 10 committee members, meets on the first Tuesday of the month, at 8pm at the Dick Turpin pub in Woodthorpe. If you are interested in joining, contact the group via its website - woodthorpeyork.btck.co.uk - or its Facebook page. The Community Pride Awards are run by The Press 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. 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.