A COUPLE who run a business that helps elderly and disabled people in York to keep their independence are in the running for an award.

Gary and Carol Braithwaite, of Bayliss Mobility, in Walmgate, have been put forward for the Service With A Smile accolade of our Community Pride Awards by one of their customers, Sarah Castle.

Mrs Castle, who regularly visits the store to buy equipment for her 90-year-old father, said: “They are a smashing couple who go out of their way to provide brilliant customer service to the elderly and disabled people of York and the surrounding area.

“Nothing is too much trouble for them.

“They really care about their customers and should get more recognition than they do.

“They will deliver to elderly people’s homes and once they even took my dad a pair of slippers out to Selby, where he lived at the time.”

The Service With A Smile category is aimed at York businesses and charitable organisations that have demonstrated outstanding customer care.

It is one of 13 categories in the 2010 Community Pride Awards, which we are running in conjunction with City of York Council and Benenden Healthcare Society to honour unsung heroes living in the City of York Council tax area.

The deadline for entries is Friday, July 23, after which a panel of judges will draw up a shortlist, and finalists from each category will be invited to a ceremony at York Racecourse in October.

To make a nomination, fill in the entry form and return it with a supporting statement setting out why your nominee deserves an award.


York Press: Community Pride Awards 2010 - categories and sponsors