A SUPPORT worker from York, who is also a local Cubs and Scouts leader, has been nominated for a prestigious award.

Janie Chapelow, Firbank Close, Strensall, works as a support worker for adults with learning disabilities for City of York Council, a job she has held since 2005.

For many years she has also been 'Akela' for 1st Strensall Cubs and Scouts, and has headed up the group up since 2009.

She has been put forward for a Community Pride Award, in the Person of the Year and Volunteer of the Year categories.

The 50-year-old has been nominated by a friend and colleague Bernadette Oxberry, who said Janie is "hugely popular with the cubs and their families."

Janie faced a devastating personal tragedy on March 31 this year when her son Daniel, who was also a volunteer for 1st Strensall Cubs and Scouts, died of a heart attack, aged 28.

"A week later she headed up her troop for the St George's parade and from then until now has led fundraising to provide a defibrillator, a bench and equipment for the Snowball Plantation [in Stockton-on-the-Forest] improving the facilities for Cub groups," Bernadette said.

She added: "Her dedication, enthusiasm and joy shines from her at all times, she is fabulous to work with, and at a time when she, and Daniel's twin sister Tor are in great pain, their thoughts were to carry on both in her workplace and with the Cubs, and create a practical legacy in Daniel's memory."

Janie says this year has been "very tough" and just to be nominated has made her smile.

Speaking about her job and her involvement with 1st Strensall Cubs and Scouts, she explained: "My role as a support worker is a gift as I get to support fabulous individuals whom struggle with certain aspects of their lives to remain as independent as possible. To see these people achieve things that the rest of us take for granted gives me huge pleasure and job satisfaction on a daily basis.

"In my spare time I get to run our cub pack and our scout troop each week. I am also Group Scout leader for the entire group too.

"Volunteering in Scouting is extremely rewarding and is the best voluntary job anyone could wish for."

The Community Pride Awards are run by The Press with City of York Council and the primary sponsor is York-based healthcare organisation Benenden. Nominees must live in, or contribute to life in the City of York Council area. Finalists will be announced in The Press this month and will be invited to an awards ceremony at York Racecourse in October.