THERE is still time to nominate top teachers, healthcare heroes and fantastic fundraisers for the York Community Pride Awards.

The annual prizegiving aims to celebrate residents who go the extra mile to help and inspire their community.

The event, held in partnership with City of York Council, is a celebration of the true champions of the place where we work and live.

Categories include Volunteer of the Year, for people who give their time to help others, Spirit of Youth, for youngsters aged between 13 and 18 who set a positive example for young people across the city, and Good Neighbour of the Year, for residents who go out of their way to help those around them.

Readers can also nominate deserving teachers, healthcare workers, sportspeople and public sector workers who should be recognised for their dedication and enthusiasm.

There are also group awards to honour those involved in top community projects and schools which have a positive impact on their neighbourhoods.

Fundraising group Sheila’s Gals, which has raised more than £5,000 for charity in memory of much-loved mum Sheila Hinchliffe, has already been nominated for the Charity Fundraiser of the Year category.

And parents have said the "inspirational" staff at St George's RC Primary School on Winterscale Street should be in the running to win the School of the Year award.

A group of dads who started the Yorkey Dads project to share their experiences of parenting has been nominated for the Best Community Project prize after children's centre workers said the initiative is "something that York as a city should be very proud of."

Meanwhile families and people cared for by Lisa Dillon have put the care worker forward for the Health Service Hero award, saying she "always puts others before herself."

The principal sponsor of the awards is York-based healthcare company Benenden Health.

Nominations for the Community Pride Awards are now open and nominees must live in, or contribute to the community within 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 posted to York Community Pride Awards, The Press, 84-86 Walmgate, York YO1 9YN. Or submit your nomination online at yorkpress.co.uk/communitypride.

The closing date for entries is Wednesday, July 27. Nominations must include a supporting statement of no more than two sides of A4 with each entry and may include a photograph, which unfortunately we will be unable to return.