The search for Good Neighbours is on.

Blackburn with Darwen Council has teamed up with the Lancashire Telegraph to search for residents who make a real difference to the lives of people on their streets.

The Your Call Good Neighbours Awards, which are also being supported by Capita and Blackburn Rovers, will pay tribute to helpful neighbours, unsung heroes who have never been recognised before for their efforts and who make their streets and neighbourhoods a better place in which to live.

Examples of people we think could be considered to be good neighbours include someone who keeps an eye open for the needs of others perhaps by regularly going shopping for an elderly neighbour, or taking the bins out on collection day for the street.

The first entries have already come in and nominations include one for a 70-year-old who came out at night to help a neighbour whose gate had collapsed and a boy who always clears the paths on his street when the snow falls.

Councillor Kate Hollern, leader of Blackburn with Darwen Council, who set up the awards, said: “The Your Call campaign has been very successful.

“Residents have rallied around and embraced the ethos. Now we want to reward people who display this ethos every day and make their streets a better place.

“We want to reward those people who knock on the door of their elderly neighbour to make sure they are okay or who perhapps organise a party on their street.

“The important thing is that these awards will recognise people who give their time to the community and expect nothing in return. They are the people who keep the community together.”

Lancashire Telegraph editor Kevin Young said: “We hear a lot about the bad things that happen and with this in mind we are particularly pleased to be able to play a role in highlighting the marvellous generous spirit of these true heroes.

“Houses are made of bricks and mortar but communities are a lot more than that. We hear a lot about the ‘wartime spirit’ and how people came together in times of extreme adversity.

“A lot of people talk of this as now having gone. I believe these awards will prove that isn’t true and that our estates and villages are very much communities where people do look after each other out of humanity and not because they expect to get something out of it.

“We wish these awards every success and look forward to them becoming an annual event.”

Paul Agnew, Director of Operations at Blackburn Rovers Football Club, said: “The community is at the heart of everything we do as a proud town football club.

“Within that community are many good neighbours who go out of their way to help and assist other people and it is most pleasing to see them recognised through this excellent award.

“We at Rovers are delighted to be involved and feel sure that the judges will have plenty to consider before selecting worthy winners.”

Ian Richardson, Regional Director for Capita said: “Capita are delighted to support and contribute a prize to this great award.”

  • Anyone of any age can be nominated but he or she must live in Blackburn with Darwen. The judging panel’s decisions are final.

To nominate someone, fill out Blackburn with Darwen Council's online nomination form or download, complete and return a nomination form.

The closing date for nominations is Monday, April 8.

Great prizes befitting a great neighbour

Lancashire Telegraph:

FIVE great prizes are on offer for Good Neighbours award winners. They are:

  • A break for two including a full day at Wimbledon during the world-famous Grand Slam tennis championships on finals weekend courtesy of Newmarket Holidays. The trip includes return coach travel; a full day Wimbledon and tickets for the No. 1 court to watch the stars of tomorrow and yesteryear compete in the finals of the Junior and Veterans’ events; one nights bed and continental breakfast at a three star hotel in the London area; a visit to Windsor and of course the chance to savour those legendary strawberries and cream and spot the celebrities!
  • ​A fantastic Spa Break for two at Stanley House, Mellor, described as ‘the perfect retreat for a perfect treat.’ The prize, donated by Capita, includes two nights accommodation in the hotel’s award-winning bedrooms; dinner, bed and breakfast as well as time in the spa with full use of the complex’s thermal bathing facilities. You can whet your appetite for spa life from a selection of spa treatments. The range includes relaxation and peace massage; classic neck, back and shoulder massage; bamboo scrub; Himalayan salt scrub and ‘vitally fast facial.
  • The chance to see a home game and enjoy corporate hospitality at Ewood Park as a guest of Blackburn Rovers Football Club.
  • A meal for two at acclaimed The Pack restaurant and bar, Belthorn.
  • A full set of nails or a manicure at specialists The Nail Room, Bolton Road, Blackburn