Jessica Kirby and Rachel Speight nominated for Charity Fundraiser Of The Year awards

Jessica Kirby, of Huntington, in York, organised a tombola at Murton car boot sale, raising £107 for Hearing Dogs for the Deaf.

Now she has been nominated as Charity Fundraiser Of The Year by her grandfather, David Cassidy, who said Jessica used her own pocket money to pay for the stall.

He said: “About 100 cuddly toys had to be numbered and the tickets folded for the dip. She did all this on her own and then stood by her stall and also walked around asking for donations.

“Jessica also gives up her weekends to help her parents look after trainee dogs. This, I think, is a remarkable and fantastic thing for a ten-year-old girl to undertake.”

Also in contention in the Charity Fundraiser Of The Year category is Haxby aerobics instructor Rachel Speight, who recruited more than 100 women to join her at last month’s York Race For Life with the aim of raising £10,000 for Cancer Research UK.

Rachel, whose previous fundraising exploits include climbing Mount Snowdon and tackling an Army assault course, took part in the 10km race dressed as Piglet from Winnie the Pooh.

She has been nominated for the award by Veronica Dobson, who took part in the Race For Life after attending Rachel’s weekly training sessions.

She said: “She offered her time at no cost. I couldn’t run to save my life and I completed the 5km race in fewer than 40 minutes. I couldn’t have done it without Rachel.

“She is a really bubbly person, always happy to help in any way she can. She is a real inspiration, and if anybody deserves an award it is Rachel.”

Only nine days remain to nominate your unsung hero in our Community Pride Awards, which we are running in conjunction with City of York Council and Benenden Healthcare Society.

Return the entry form, along with a supporting statement, by July 23.