YORK’S unsung heroes have been honoured at a prestigious award ceremony to celebrate their outstanding achievements.

The finalists of this year’s Community Pride Awards, organised by The Press and City of York Council and sponsored by Benenden, gathered at York Racecourse last night, along with their families, as the winners of the 12 categories were announced.

Welcoming guests, The Press deputy editor Stuart Martel congratulated all the inspirational people at the event.

He said: “We heard stories of incredible bravery, immense courage and triumph over adversity as we honour the unsung heroes of our great city.

“Once again we were inundated with nominations for inspirational people in our community who are looking out for others without seeking reward or recognition.

“The standard of entries was incredible and our judges faced an unbelievably difficult task to select the finalists and the eventual winners.”

A caring schoolgirl scooped the Spirit of Youth award.

Megan Harris was a carer for her late mum during her

battle with motor neurone disease.

She was just 12-years-old when her mum Janine was diagnosed with the disease.

From that day Megan took it upon herself to be a carer for Janine.

Seven remarkable young people were the joint winners of the Child of the Year award.

Brave Daisybella Bond suffers from Noonan Syndrome, a genetic disorder that causes a wide range of symptoms, such as heart abnormalities and unusual facial characteristics.

She was a winner along with Dylan Harvey, who was diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes one week before his fifth birthday.

Youngsters Tia and Teegan Wrigglesworth, put forward by their terminally ill mum Rachel for their outstanding support and care, and Jessica, Tinky and Charlie Miller, whose mum Amy died aged 35, joined them on the winner’s podium.

Richard Shaw, who was a Poppy Appeal organiser for nearly 20 years and helped raise £500,000 for the annual collection, was crowned Charity Fundraiser of the Year.

York Mind fundraising volunteer Tricia Pollard won Volunteer of the Year for her tireless work for the charity.

One of the most important awards on the night went to Angie Gooch, who was crowned York Community Pride Person of the Year.

She voluntarily transformed a piece of council-owned wasteland into a community garden where local residents can socialise.

Matt Oxley, from Badger Hill Primary School, was named Teacher of the Year.

He was praised by parents for going beyond the duties as a teacher and for how much he cares about pupils and their learning.

Tang Hall Primary School, whose teachers have been praised for their positive attitude, won School of the Year.

Meanwhile, Phil Sanderson, who has helped build a respected junior football club in York, won the Sporting Hero award, while Best Community Project went to Chill in the Community - a cafe in York which has developed into a hub for the community of Acomb.

Sally Dunsire, a reprographics officer at All Saints RC School, where she has worked for 25 years, was named Public Sector Hero, Catherine Gascoyne, a waiting list co-ordinator at the hospital for 19 years, is this year’s Health Service Hero award winner, and Wendy Bryant was crowned Good Neighbour of the Year.

l Don’t miss The Press on Tuesday, October 24 for our eight-page souvenir supplement profiling the finalists and featuring a host of pictures from last night’s event.

A gallery of all the pictures taken at the York Community Pride Awards ceremony will also be uploaded to our website, thepress.co.uk, today.