NOMINATIONS are being sought to recognise York’s health service heroes in the Community Pride awards.

The Community Pride awards seek to put the city’s unsung heroes in the spotlight by recognising their efforts at an awards ceremony held at York Racecourse.

The Press has already received strong nominations for the Health Service Hero category - which is sponsored by Clifton Park Hospital - including one for York Hospital nurse Ellie Hodge for her outstanding and caring work with cancer patients.

Debbie Craven, general manager at the Shipton Road-based Clifton Park Hospital, said it was pleased to sponsor the category to recognise individuals whose outstanding contributions within health care make such a difference.

She said: “It’s nice to be involved and show our appreciation to the health care community in York.

“We pride ourselves in personalised delivery of care because we understand everyone is different.

“We know there are some fantastic people out there and this is an excellent opportunity to hear about them.”

Last year the winner of the title went to Louise Rochester, deputy sister on the short-stay ward at York Hospital, for her “wonderful” way with patients, family and colleagues and for going to incredible lengths to support others.

Mrs Rochester was described as “the most caring, thoughtful person”, who offers to work Christmas so others do not have to, cuddles patients in distress and went out of her way to provide warm clothes for a homeless patient who was so moved by the gesture he returned to thank her after being discharged.

The Community Pride Awards are sponsored by Benenden Health and run by The Press in partnership with City of York Council.

You can nominate people online by visiting yorkpress.co.uk/pride