A JUDO instructor who gives up his free time to run a popular club in York has been put forward for a Community Pride Award.

Josh Burgess, of Lilling Avenue, Huntington, runs classes on Fridays and Saturdays at Old Priory Judo Club’s two sites - in Moor Lane Youth Centre, Dringhouses and at York Elite Shotokan Karate Club, in Osbaldwick.

The 29-year-old runs the club voluntarily with his wife Maria, who has nominated him for a Community Pride Award, in the Volunteer of the Year category.

The couple have run the club since 2009, and are helped by another judo instructor, Trevor Elsy.

Maria said: “Josh gives up his time to run a local judo club in York.

“He runs one class on Friday evening and he also runs two lessons on a Saturday.

“It is not just the teaching, there is also the paperwork and planning that happens behind the scenes.

“He never complains about doing it and will make sure that the members have the best chances.”

Josh said the club nearly closed before the couple took over about eight years ago.

He said: “It’s one of the main reasons we stepped in and helped with all of it. It was down to about six members a week that were regularly turning up.

“It quite possibly might not have been going still if me and my wife were not running it.”

The club now has a combined total of about 45 members at its two sites, who are mostly children.

Before taking over the club and becoming an instructor, Josh was a member of the club for many years, starting at the age of five.

“I got a lot out of the club when I was little,” he said.

“People who ran the club then were volunteers. As I grew up I stayed with the club.

“I’ve always enjoyed it [running the club]. I just want to keep doing it.”

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.