A SPONSOR of this year’s Community Pride Awards is urging Press readers to think about people who give up their time to support local communities and nominate their volunteering heroes.

Aviva are sponsoring the Volunteer of the Year category once again in this year’s Awards. The category is for an individual who gives freely and unselfishly of his or her time to help others.

Debbie Bullock, community investment manager at Aviva, said: “Volunteers are a vital part of our communities and without them, many things we take for granted wouldn’t happen. They work tirelessly to make our world a better place.

“Volunteering takes many forms, from running a club, managing a community building, or something as small as regularly checking in on an elderly neighbour and taking their bin out.

“Most volunteers don’t do what they do for the recognition, but the Community Pride Awards are a great opportunity to say thank you to someone who goes that extra mile for other people.”

Debbie says supporting the volunteer category is a “perfect fit” for Aviva.

“We believe everyone should be recognised as individuals and the strengths and differences they bring, and that includes being able to support causes that you care about through volunteering.

“Aviva supports volunteering by offering colleagues up to 21 hours paid volunteering leave so they can get involved in a way that works for them.

“It’s all part of our values to care more.

“Nominate someone today, don’t wait for someone else to say ‘thank you’.”

Portakabin employees Mick Stone and John Clarke were the winners of last year’s Volunteer of the Year award for re-building Huntington Pre-School’s play area.

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.