My RHA
Good Neighbour of the Year
1st September 2015 | posted in News
A man's tireless efforts to help others has won him the 2015 Railway Housing Association Good Neighbour of the Year award.
Brian Coates was the overwhelming winner of the award, having received a record number of nominations.
Mr Coates, who lives in North Eastern Court in Dunston, Gateshead, received the award for the help and assistance he gives to other residents, as well as his efforts in the communal gardens which have added colour.
He has also started a gardening club to provide fruit, vegetables and herbs for residents; which has the added bonus of helping residents to keep active
The 64-year-old was nominated by a number of people at North Eastern Court, including Dorothy Ferriday, who said: "The communal gardens are a beautiful place to go and sit out. It is very colourful and Brian has planted fruit, vegetables and herbs"
Residents Charles and Joan Spragg said: "Brian is very nice and will help anyone."
Mr Coates received his trophy and a cheque for £50 at Railway Housing Association’s recent residents’ conference.
He said: “I have always enjoyed gardening so to me I haven’t done anything special, but it is nice to be recognised by my neighbours in this way.
“I like to keep myself busy and there are people much older than me living here that need a bit of help, so I am more than happy to do jobs for them.”
This year’s good neighbour of the year competition, which was once again sponsored by Drivers Solicitors, was the most popular yet, with entries being submitted from all the areas where the Association has homes, including the North East and Yorkshire.
Anne Rowlands, Railway Housing Association Chief Executive, said: “We received some very good entries this year but Mr Coates was a clear winner. He has obviously had such a positive impact at North Eastern Court.”
David Barnett, from Drivers Solicitors, said: “These awards are always one of the highlights of our year and we would like to congratulate Mr Coates on being such a worthy winner.”
