Youngsters swell ranks for Good Neighbours Awards

Published Monday 21 March 2016 at 16:13

Entries for Blackburn with Darwen’s fourth annual Good Neighbours Awards look set to be a record, thanks to a surge in nominations for young people.

Already the names of 32 unsung heroes have been submitted to the judging panel less than a month after the competition started.

With more than three weeks to go before the Monday April 11 closing date, organisers are hopeful of beating the 70 nomination record of the awards first year in 2013.

The biggest surprise is the number of young people being put forward, more than half rather the nominations.

The ‘Good Neighbours Awards 2016’ sees Blackburn with Darwen Council join forces with the Lancashire Telegraph to find the people in the borough who make local people’s lives better.

They have been backed by Prime Minister David Cameron, Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn, and LibDem boss and honorary ‘Darrener’ Tim Farron.

The winners will receive their prizes at a glittering awards night at King George’s Hall.

Nominations include a seven-year-old who picks up litter and cleans up the canal near his home and 17-year-old who helps two elderly and chronically sick neighbours.

Also in the running is a 15-year-old member of the army cadet force and teenage members of a Blackburn with Darwen girls group involved in a host of community activities.

At the other end of the age spectrum are a 93-year-old who keeps his neighbourhood spick and span and 79-year-old street ‘Good Samaritan’.

Sponsors of the awards include Community Integrated Care, Blackburn with Darwen Clinical Commissioning Group, Capita, McDonald’s and Blackburn Rovers.

Prizes include a meal for two at Ewood Park, a £150 voucher for Stanley House Hotel and Spa in Mellor, £50 Mall shopping vouchers, a Kindle from the Lancashire Telegraph and a year’s leisure membership at re:fresh gyms or tickets to the panto.

Borough leader Mohammed Khan said: “I am delighted so many people have come forward to nominate their good neighbours.

“I look forward to meet each and every one of them.”

To nominate a good neighbour, go to https://theshuttle.org.uk/good-neighbours-awards-nomination-form/

 

This article first appeared in the Lancashire Telegraph

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