LOCAL businesses have thrown their weight behind our campaign to honour York's unsung heroes.

The York Community Pride Awards, run by the Evening Press and City of York Council, were launched last week, and the campaign has been supported by local firms. The overall sponsor for the awards is Norwich Union, and the first six individual category sponsors have also now signed up.

The Joseph Rowntree Foundation is sponsoring our Best Community Project award, while York Racecourse is sponsoring the Sporting Hero category. Harrowell Shaftoe is sponsoring Volunteer of the Year; Transpennine Express the Public Sector Hero; Nestl the Spirit of Youth; and First the Service With A Smile title.

The firms involved today said how delighted they were to be involved with the scheme.

Andrew Barnett, director of policy development and communications at the Joseph Rowntree Foundation, said: "The Joseph Rowntree Foundation and Housing Trust have been at the forefront of building strong communities for more than 100 years. These awards recognise those community projects which make our communities stronger, more sustainable places where people enjoy living."

Peter Mills, of Harrowell Shaftoe, said: "We support the Volunteer of the Year category because we recognise that volunteers are key to binding local communities together and often tackle issues that haven't really registered at an official level. We hope that the York Evening Press's role in promoting York Community Pride persuades more people to make a contribution at a local or city-wide level."

James Brennan, manager of York Racecourse, said: "We are pleased to be involved. As a major sporting venue in the city it's good to be able to put something back in to community-level sport. Last year was a special year for us with Ascot on, and this year is another special year with the St. Leger, and while we keep having special years, it's nice to be able to put something back."

Debbie Edwards, senior officer at Nestl consumer services, said: "Anything we can do to recognise people doing good work, we are happy to be involved with. It's good to recognise the city's teenagers. We support a lot of children in that sort of age group."

We are still looking for sponsors for many of our other categories. Anyone interested in sponsoring a category should phone Nigel Briggs at the Evening Press on 01904 567168.

Updated: 08:51 Thursday, March 02, 2006