YorkMix Hero Awards – Meet the finalists for the Community Champion award

We have some more real-life heroes to share with you. Today, we reveal the Community Champion Award finalists.

We wanted to hear nominations for people who have gone above and beyond to help out their community over the past 18 months.

But we still need your help! Head over to the YorkMix Hero Awards page to vote in our People’s Choice Award – which shortlisted organisation do you think deserves to be recognised?

Keep reading to meet our fantastic finalists…

The Community Champion Award is sponsored by King’s Fish and Chips.

The Hero Awards ceremony will take place at the Principal York on Friday 8 October.

With thanks to our awards supporters!

Meet the finalists…

Tracy Ostle

During lockdown, Tracy created a Fairy Trail by the River Foss near The Groves.

She has handcrafted the fairy houses herself using recycled materials – as well as encouraging her community to get involved.

One person who nominated Tracy said, “[The Fairy Trail] has been real escapism during the recent difficult time. It has been fantastic for families and children.

“She has created a magical world for many stressed people to escape to.”

Tracy organised litter-picking sessions to clear the area and has put benches along the river.

Tracy has also put up bat boxes, an owl house and insect hotels to encourage wildlife to the area, as well as organising a bluebells to be planted.

Helen Moran

At the beginning of the first lockdown in March 2020, Helen created a Facebook page – titled Sharing Malton & Norton – for anyone in the local community.

It became a space where people could ask for and offer help, with everything from making food parcels, organising help to put out wheelie bins, collecting prescriptions, to getting children’s clothes for those in need.

The page currently has 3.2K members.

Someone who nominated Helen said, “The page has been a lifeline for hundreds of people, including myself.

“Helen not only runs the page but also sets about helping anyone she can.

“She has raised thousands and thousands of pounds for a local lad Jack Tyeman, who had a life changing accident a few years ago.”

Dr Mike

Dr Mike Holmes, chair of Nimbuscare – the primary care group overseeing the vaccination programme in York – has been appearing weekly on YorkMix Radio to chat with Ben and Laura.

For many months, Dr Mike has provided updates on the radio with the latest advice around Covid vaccinations.

One person who nominated Dr Mike said, “His weekly updates on the radio and advice on Covid vaccines have been fantastic.

“He is a working doctor and is taking time out to do this.

“Him and the nurses and volunteers need to be recognised.”

Congratulations to all of our finalists!

The winner of the Community Champion Award will be revealed in our Hero Awards ceremony at the Principal York on 8th October.

A big thank you to all our awards sponsors.