FAST-FOOD chain McDonald's has thrown its weight behind our awards scheme for unsung heroes.

The firm has agreed to sponsor the Child Of The Year category in the York Community Pride Awards, run by the Evening Press and City of York Council.

The Child Of The Year award is for under-12s who have overcome an adversity or faced up to life's hardships and challenges.

Mark McAvoy, operation consultant for the York branches of McDonald's, said: "Living and working in York for the past ten years, I am privileged and delighted to be backing such a scheme, and for us to be giving something back to the community."

Meanwhile, nominations are still coming in to the Evening Press offices, but we need more. We want to reward the city's unsung heroes, but need you to help by telling us who you think deserves recognition and why.

Recent nominations include staff at Micklegate Post Office for the Service With A Smile Award.

Nominator Renee Lamb, 84, of Hampden Street, York, wrote: "The Post Office and its staff provide a real community stop-off, and the Bishophill residents who I speak to have nothing but praise for our Post Office and its staff."

Tang Hall barber Terry Smith was nominated for Charity Fundraiser Of The Year, after helping raise money for various good causes, disadvantaged people or victims of crime.

His nominator, Jane Smith-Squires, of Fifth Avenue, wrote: "Mr Smith is a kind, considerate, unselfish, respectable, caring individual, who puts himself out and thinks about other people."

To nominate your community heroes, fill in the entry form, remembering to include the category to which you are nomination applies, and giving reasons on no more than two sides of A4.

Our judges will select three finalists in each category, and winners will be announced at an awards ceremony later this year. We also still need sponsors for our awards.

For more information on sponsoring an award category, phone Nigel Briggs at the Evening Press on 01904 567168, or email nigel.briggs@ycp.co.uk