SIX people have been declared "community champions" for their work in York and North Yorkshire.

Their work with charities has helped improve the lives of hundreds of people, including home carers, young people, patients at York Hospital, parents with learning difficulties and the homeless.

They were given the title at the fifth community champions awards ceremony, which is backed by the Department for Education and Skills.

The winners will receive up to £2,000 each for their charities.

Barbara Milner, of Hull Road, chairman of York Carers Together, was one of the six winners.

She organised a new peer advocacy network to support family carers of people with learning difficulties.

Barbara said: "Our work is all about making life easier for carers, by giving them the opportunity to meet people in the same position, in a social setting.

"It is lovely that our work has been recognised and it was great to have the opportunity to meet people from other charities."

Ivy Eden, of Pinewood Grove, Huntington, York, produces a Saturday show for York Hospital Radio. She has been involved in charity work since she was 15.

Now retired, she said: "The award came as a surprise. I do the work for the sheer love it and I get to meet such smashing people."

Other winners from York included Jennifer Clare, who teaches driving skills to younger people in her rural community near Easingwold.

Michelle Duffy, of Heworth Hall Drive, York, formed People First 2000, a support group for parents with learning disabilities. It offers help with concerns about childcare.

She said: "At the group, we talk about being a parent and we share our worries and concerns. We talk about the things we'd like to change and how we can make change happen.

"I was very proud and excited to get this community champion award. It was a wonderful surprise, I've never had an award before. People with learning difficulties can be good parents if they are given the right support."

Anyone interested in joining the group should phone 01904 431313.

Damian Colman, of Harrogate, was also commended for his drama project work with homeless people.

Raymond Forward, of Saltergate Drive, Harrogate, was also crowned a community champion for setting up a new residents' association and bi-monthly newsletter in his home district.

The awards were presented at a ceremony in Leeds, hosted by BBC TV presenter Harry Gration.

Steven Nesbit, of the Government Office for Yorkshire and the Humber, said: "The community champions fund helps individuals, often through training and networks, to turn their ideas into reality by driving forward a variety of community projects, supporting others and making a real difference to people."

On Friday, the Evening Press will celebrate the unsung heroes of York at a glittering ceremony at York Racecourse. The awards, which are run in partnership with City of York Council, recognise charity fundraisers, volunteers, young people and community projects among many others.

Updated: 10:09 Saturday, October 15, 2005