17 April 2009
Shout about Coventry’s unsung heroes
We think that Coventry’s community spirit is alive and kicking and we need your help to prove it.
Coventry’s third Good Neighbour Award competition starts today, giving anyone in the city the chance to have their hard work in the community recognised.
As a credit-crunch busting bonus, the winner will also have their good deeds repaid with £2,000 to put towards household bills for a year.
A total of £2,500 in prize money is on offer, to be shared between Coventry’s best neighbours. Nominating a winner could also scoop you a £100 cash reward.
The competition is running for the third time this year, organised by Whitefriars Housing Group and the Coventry Telegraph. Last year’s winner, Kenneth Latchford, aged 70, walked away with a £1,000 cash prize for his efforts in reducing anti-social behaviour.
Kenneth, who lives in Willenhall Wood, said: “I’ve lived on the estate for 40 years and was just trying to make things better for everyone in the area. I didn’t expect to win anything.
“I would encourage anyone with a good neighbour to put them in for an award – showing them that you appreciate them also encourages greater community spirit.”
Whether it’s your next door neighbour picking up your weekly shopping, a community champion who volunteers their time to help others, or the person down the road who’s always on the end of the phone if you need them – if they make a difference to you and your area, we want to know.
Peter Lacy, chair of Whitefriars Housing Group, said: “I’m proud to see the competition running for its third year.
“Having lived in Coventry for 30 years, I know that our community spirit is something to shout about. Whitefriars wants to create safe and friendly communities for Coventry people and good neighbours help us to achieve this every day.”
Three neighbours will be shortlisted this year, with one winning the top £2,000 prize to put towards household bills. Two runners-up will bag £250 each and the three successful neighbours to nominate winners will receive a £100 ‘thank you’ prize.
A chauffer-driven car will deliver all finalists and their nominators to a special celebration lunch. Community regeneration company Lovell has kindly donated all prizes.
To nominate your neighbour and share a shining example of Coventry’s community stars, just fill in the entry form on the [right]. You can also get a copy from any Whitefriars office, in future issues of this paper, or you can enter online if you visit the Coventry Telegraph website www.iccoventry.co.uk
Entry is free, so just pop the form in an envelope to FREEPOST WHITEFRIARS COMMUNICATIONS TEAM – no stamp required. You can also email them to goodneighbour@whitefriars.co.uk
Entries need to be received no later than May 5, 2009.
The competition is open to individuals over the age of 10 who live within the boundaries of Coventry city.
Notes to Editors
Whitefriars Housing Group Limited is a not-for-profit housing and regeneration organisation established in 2000 that owns and manages approximately 17,000 homes across Coventry.
The Group has committed £240 million to the repair and improvement of its housing stock, ensuring that the Government’s Decent Homes Standard is met five years ahead of schedule.
Working in neighbourhoods, Whitefriars is committed to the national ‘iN business for neighbourhoods’ agenda and is a major player in the regeneration of Coventry and the provision of affordable housing.
In addition to providing homes, the Group works in partnership with communities and other agencies to provide training and employment opportunities and support services for local residents, with the aim of building sustainable communities.
Whitefriars Housing Group Limited is a charitable industrial and provident society.
For further information please contact Fran Hall or Nikki Cheung at The Bridge Group on 024 7656 0440 or f.hall@bridge-group.co.uk