Community dentist and Black Health Initiative among Leeds candidates on shortlist for National Diversity Awards

Community dentist Linzi-Maybin's Happy Teeth Outreach is shortlisted in the Community Organisation Award For Disability section of the awards.

Leeds based BHI (Black Health Initiative) and fundraising teenage Leeds dancer Junior Frood have also been shortlisted in the awards.

Linzi said she started the Happy Teeth Outreach project last October because she is passionate about caring for patients who cannot always communicate that they have a dental problem.

Happy Teeth Outreach is a voluntary non-profitable organisation.

Volunteer dentists work with children and young people aged four to 19-years-old with learning difficulties, autism, physical disabilities, hearing & visual impairments.

The project provides toothbrushes and toothpaste to hundreds of children with disabilities to support a healthy childhood.

It helps a number of special schools in Leeds and provide high quality fun interactive lessons for their pupils.

Linzi, formerly of Hyde Park, Leeds, who graduated from the University of Leeds School of Dentistry in 2014, said the project makes dental health and advice more accessible for children with special educational needs.

She said: "It can be challenging for some anxious children to attend the dentist therefore this project brings the dentist and the education into their normal school environment and makes it an enjoyable experience."

She added: “I am extremely proud that we have been shortlisted for the National Diversity Award.

"It is great recognition for the incredible work which the volunteer dentists have been responsible for over the past ten months. To be shortlisted is truly incredible.”

Also shortlisted in the National Diversity Awards is the Leeds-based charity BHI (Black Health Initiative.)

BHI is shortlisted in the Community Organisation Award for Race, Religion & Faith section of the awards.

BHI is a community engagement charity, which works to address inequalities in health, education and social care.

It works with NHS trusts, Leeds City Council and diverse communities in Leeds.

BHI chief executive Heather Nelson, said: "For us, as a small organisation, to get this far in the process means a lot.

"It goes to show that a small organisation can make a huge impact."

And 16-year-old Leeds dancer Junior Frood has been shortlisted in the Positive Role Model for Age section of the awards.

Junior has used his dancing talent to raise more than £300,000 for local and national charities.

Junior, who has been fundraising since he was eight-years-old, has been nominated for his charity fundraising and anti-bullying campaign #BoysCanDance.

Junior has suffered bullying and started a campaign to get rid of the stigma surrounding male dancers.

Junior is due to start on his professional dance career journey in September when he enrols at Jelli Studio College in Liverpool.

His mum Kerry said: "He cannot believe that he has been chosen. We are so happy that Junior has been recognised for his huge achievements and him going above and beyond to help others."

The winners of the awards will be announced on Friday February 26 at the Anglican Cathedral, Liverpool.

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Laura Collins