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The 2006 Good Neighbour Awards

"An absolutely exceptional person" is how Monica Lister described her neighbour Anne Mordica, of St Mary's Court, Horden, who is this year's winner of the Association's Good Neighbour Awards.

Mrs. Lister said, "I've never known anyone as kind, as good hearted and as concerned as Anne. Not only does she support her neighbours in the usual ways with physical and medical support, but she is always ready to give emotional support. If she knows someone has a problem she will keep in touch and make sure that she is there when she is needed".

"If anyone is poorly she will make their meals for them, and I've known her to take care of elderly neighbours when they have been ill during the night".

She also organizes regular social events and generally works for our community all year round".

When she won the award, Mrs. Mordica, 64, said, " I'm gob smacked and still in shock. I didn't think that I do that much".

I get great pleasure from helping people. Often it's just simple things like making meals for others but I always say there's no point in making a pan of broth just for myself and it makes sense to share it. I am a good listener and I believe that a problem shared is a problem halved".

Three Good Neighbour Awards were presented by Chris Mumford, Sales Executive of housing computer software company Aareon UK during a ceremony at the Barracuda Bar, (previously The Red Lion Hotel) in Chester le Street on Tuesday 12th December. All three winners received plaques and cash prizes.

Second place was awarded to 84 year old John Pirt of Peacehaven, Ferryhill Station.

Described by his neighbour Wendy Dunn as "a very quiet, unassuming man", Mr. Pirt said, "I've always helped other people. I've been active all of my life, I spent 43 years down the pit and I still have a lot of go left in me".

Wendy Dunn, who nominated John for the award, said, "He regularly makes meals for his neighbours Mr. Ross and Mrs. Danbrooke and looks out for everybody's welfare, as well as providing home grown vegetables to his neighbours. I don't know where he gets the energy from".

John's wife Hilda, 84, has to stay in a care home in Ferryhill. Wendy said, "he goes to see her every day and takes her out on day trips on the bus or brings her home for meals".

John has lived at Peacehaven for what he said were, "a lot of years". And what Wendy didn't know when she nominated John was that he had previously won first prize in the Good Neighbour Awards in 1995. Her response on finding out was "He certainly deserves it this time and I am sure that he would have deserved the award in the past".

Third prize was awarded to Joan Smallman of the Aged Miners' Homes in North Hylton Road, Sunderland.

Joan was nominated for the award by Frederick Tetchner, aged 73. Frederick, who had a hip replacement nine years ago and is due for a replacement next March, said, "In a nutshell, I couldn't live here on my own if it wasn't for Joan, I would probably have to move into a residential home. She does everything you need to keep a house going - housework, shopping, making my meals and even giving me the eye drops that I need for my diabetes".

72 year old Joan said, "I've done it all of my life, since I was a girl. I don't look for praise and I don't like this business of telling everybody. I do it because I want to. Frederick is disabled and he has a good family but it's difficult for them because they don't live and work nearby and I am more than happy to help".

DAMHA Director John Humble said, "For me this award is the highlight of our year because it's a poignant reminder of the traditional values that are a fundamental part of the ethos of the mining communities. We are delighted that the awards give us the opportunity to celebrate the good that our residents do for others. What is really noticeable about the character of all three winners this year is that they are all modest as well as exceptionally kind and thoughtful".