Winner: John Nicholson

Runners Up: Trevor Palmer, Kathrine Armstrong-Bisson

The judging panel once again found it very difficult to create a shortlist for this category, let alone name a winner, and said each entrant was “exceptional in their own way”.

Trevor Palmer has worked as a crossing patrol officer near St George’s School in Fishergate for the past two years, and has been labelled “a credit to the council” by the public and Councillor David Scott, one of the people who nominated him.

Kathrine Armstrong-Bisson, from Holgate, was praised for her outstanding work as an occupational therapist with City of York Council, and was nominated by Jennifer Holloway for her assistance when her husband Mark became disabled last year.

But John Nicholson caught the panel’s eye for his longstanding and tireless work in York’s streets, which also saw him make the shortlist for this category back in 2009, and won him a hand-written letter of praise from the council’s chief executive, Kersten England.

Sally Burns, communities and neighbourhoods director with City of York Council accepted the award with John.

Thanking his nominators on his behalf, she also said: “I have the pleasure of being John’s manager, and reading all the compliments we get about him.

“He’s an absolute star in the community, and the people absolutely love him and the work he does.”

Category sponsored by:

York Press: City of York council