KINDHEARTED DJs with JNJ Classic Soul spin the vinyl at special charity nights and raise thousands every year for York groups and charities.

Their generous and unexpected donation to The Hut York day centre in Wigginton Road prompted Jonathan Polhill to nominate the northern soul lovers for a Volunteer of the Year title in our York Community Pride awards.

Mr Polhill, from the day centre, part of the Clarence Gardens Association, said: "The gentlemen from JNJS Classic Soul, focus on local York charities. We are often overlooked being a small fairly new local charity.

"JNJ contacted us out of the blue and offered to run an evening of soul music and donate the money to The Hut.

"They raised £800 and GAP will match the donation. This is invaluable to us being a small charity with many people that rely on us.

"It is that kind of generosity that prompted me to nominate them. They had no affiliation with us and no reason to help us other than they believe in small local charities and the good they do and the need they fill.

"They put on a great evening for people to have fun and help local charities. What fantastic people."

The Hut York, opposite York Hospital is a safe space for people with enduring mental health issues and/or learning disabilities to learn, socialise and develop new skills and offers workshops and training.

John Steel of JNJ Classic Soul said: "It is very kind of The Hut to nominate us. We have raised over £40,000 for York charities in the last six years and we try to help the little ones.

"We just look out for charities we think deserve to be helped and run our soul nights about six times a year, playing what some people call northern soul, and Motown, music from the 50s, 60s and 70s.

"Everyone has a good night at the Post Office Club in Marygate and we can get about 120 people in. There's always a raffle and our audiences are always very generous."

The team comprises Mr Steel, along with John Funnell, Nigel Cocks and Stewart Parkinson and their wives Janet Steel, Helen Cocks, Anne Funnell and Doreen Parkinson.

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.