Winners of Community Pride Awards to be unveiled tonight (From York Press)

Winners of The Press Community Pride Awards to be unveiled tonight

9:11am Thursday 18th October 2012 in News By Kate Liptrot, kate.liptrot@thepress.co.uk

THE wait is almost over – tonight the winners of our Community Pride Awards will be unveiled at a ceremony at York Racecourse.

The gala dinner, which is being held for the ninth year, will give all finalists their richly deserved moment in the spotlight.

We have invited nominees from each of the 13 categories to join us for a celebration of their extraordinary achievements.

BBC presenter Colin Hazelden will compère the evening, while the sponsors of our campaign will be on hand to honour the winners with their awards.

Francine Clee, deputy editor of The Press, said: “We’re all looking forward to tonight’s ceremony, which promises to be a night to remember.

“Whether or not our finalists take the ultimate prize, they are all heroes in the York community.”

Four remarkable people are in the running to win the Community Pride Person Of The Year accolade.

Graham Bradbury 59, of Copmanthorpe, has been involved in raising an estimated £100,000 for charity through many events including the annual community carol concert and last year’s John Barry tribute concert.

Kelly Cronin, of Huntington, 23, who is almost blind due to a deteriorating eye condition, has made some outstanding and inspirational achievements – travelling Australia and taking the first steps to becoming a barrister as well as fundraising for others. Peter Lawrence, 65, of the Stockton Lane area, campaigns on behalf of the families of missing people. Following the disappearance of his daughter Claudia in 2009, Mr Lawrence has led a campaign for new legislation to make it easier for those dealing with a missing person’s estate. And John Horsley, 83, is an integral member of the community in Tang Hall, known for his weekly ward walks to pick up litter and address local issues, remaining upbeat and dedicated to the local environment, despite being diagnosed with terminal cancer.

The Press is staging the Community Pride Awards in conjunction with City of York Council and Benenden Healthcare Society.