The exceptional achievements of York residents whose bravery, commitment and selflessness have helped improve their communities deserve to be celebrated, and once again The Press Community Pride Awards ceremony has done just that.

Each year, hundreds of people nominate their friends, families, teachers, shopkeepers, and local fundraisers to bring them the recognition they deserve for all their hard work in the community, and as always, there were smiles, laughs, cheers and tears as the winners collected their prizes in front of hundreds of guests at the special glittering ceremony at York Racecourse.

Among this year’s winners were 17-year-old Paisley Laws, who has remained defiant in the face of cerebral palsy, and undergone a number of painful operations to improve her mobility, and Sallyanne Gatus, a cancer survivor who created a garden project at Dringhouses Primary School to create happy new memories for her two children.

Council leader James Alexander, who helped present a number of awards, said: “Of the multitude of events I have attended in my time as leader of City of York Council, I feel that this was one of the most rewarding and important because it is a celebration of the very best of human nature.”

BBC presenter Colin Hazelden hosted the ceremony, while representatives from the sponsors of each category were on hand to present the winners with their awards, certificates and medals.

Steve Hughes, managing editor of The Press, said: “During the evening we heard stories of courage, devotion, and sheer determination, often in the face of adversity or personal tragedy.

“The night was about the extraordinary achievements of ordinary people who do so much for others. Our finalists make York a better place.”

This is the eighth time The Press and City of York Council have staged the celebration of York’s unsung heroes.