Neighbour of the Year - Nominees

Around 30 of Ron Miller's neighbours joined together to sign a 'petition' putting Ron forward for our Neighbour of the Year Award.

Ron has lived on the Blackburn estate since it was built in the early 1970s and until a recent bout of ill health he would spend most days of the week visiting people he knows and seeing if they wanted anything doing.

No task was too big or too small and Ron, who has been married three times and has one daughter and one step-daughter, never asked for anything in return.

The 80-year-old, who lives alone in Brookway, has built fences, mown lawns, carried out general handyman work, and even turned his hand to baby-sitting.

At his peak he would spend a few hours each day helping neighbours, but a hip replacement earlier this year halted his usual routine.

Ron, who has been recuperating for around six months, has also been heavily involved with the Livesey Community Association for more than 30 years.

And he was one of the committee members who helped set up the Livesey Community Base, a small community centre in a converted house, 15 years ago.

He has organised monthly trips for the elderly and children alike and has collected money for the national lottery syndicate and breakfast club throughout this time.

During his enforced break Ron has been missed by everyone on the estate and they cannot wait for his return to full health and full service.

Neighbour Eva Kay said: "He's getting on but it doesn't stop him doing anything.

"He's a good, good man and is very highly thought of by everybody around here.

"He's always buzzing around the estate doing this and that for young and old alike."

Neighbour and Community Base committee member Alan Trevylan said: "Everybody knows Ron around here.

"He has strived over the last 30 years to improve the lives of people living on the estate."

It was a blessing when Jackie moved in next door. SINCE she moved to Livesey Branch Road in Blackburn 17 years ago, Jackie Lightbown has been a constant source of support to many neighbours, particularly the elderly.

Whether it is keeping an eye on the pets or house while someone is away or lending a sympathetic ear and shoulder to cry on in difficult times, Jackie is always willing to help.

She has played a special part in the life of next door neighbour Gladys Richards by looking after her on a daily basis since Gladys' husband Ken died several years ago.

Prior to Ken's death he suffered a number of strokes Jackie was always there to call a doctor and accompany Gladys to the hospital no matter what time of day or night it was.

When Gladys fell and fractured her leg it was Jackie who took her to the hospital and did her cleaning and shopping every day as well as running errands.

When Gladys had flu Jackie spent several hours each day cooking for and looking after her.

Now the 90-year-old has a direct 'helpline' through to Jackie's house so she can get in immediate contact with her if she falls or needs help.

Jackie is effectively on call 24 hours a day because if Gladys pulls a switch it lights up an alert buzzer in Jackie's house.

Gladys says she feels part of the family and is close to Jackie, her husband Peter, 46, and their children, Barry, 28, Brian, 27, and Jordan, 11.

This June Jackie even organised a trip to Feniscowles Primary School - where Gladys taught for 40 years - as a 90th birthday surprise and they held a special assembly in her honour.

Jackie also helps other neighbours including a woman who had a flood and one who had a stroke.

Thanks to Jackie keeping an eye on her they realised something was wrong and found the lady on her bathroom floor.

Gladys said: "It was a blessing to my late husband and I when she and her family moved in next door 17 years ago.

"It is hard to put in a short letter all the things she and her family have done for me and other elderly members close by.

"Whenever she can help she is there."

Nothing is too much trouble for Gail. FOR the last 10 years Gail Dean has devoted several hours a week tending to the needs of her elderly neighbours.

Despite ill health herself, nothing is too much trouble for the mother-of-three.

Gail is a housewife and lives in Kay Gardens, Burnley, with her partner Barry and her three sons Brian, 22, Robert, 15, and Daniel, 10.

When she first moved in 10 years ago, Gail soon got chatting to the elderly residents living across the road from her.

In her first winter she asked if they needed any help with shopping or errands while the weather was bad and word soon spread.

Gail suffers from a lot of back pain because she suffers from kidney stones and once every few months is unable to get out of bed because of the pain - but she always puts others first.

Five years ago Mary Daniel, 63, who is disabled with arthritis, moved into the road and Gail helped her with various errands.

Then when Mary's mother, also called Mary, 82, became terminally ill with lung cancer Gail visited Mary Snr every day.

When she was well enough she took her out in a wheelchair twice a week; when she was too poorly Gail sat with her and kept her company; she took her to the toilet, made her drinks and went to the shops for her.

When Mary Snr died in September, Gail was with her in her final hours. She then helped with funeral arrangements, emptying the flat and generally supported Mary through her bereavement

Gail also devotes two hours a day helping her mother care for her wheelchair-bound brother Ian, 48.

Ian was left physically and mentally disabled after he was involved in a car crash when he was eight years old. Gail changes his catheter bag every morning, gets him dressed and makes his bed.

Her reputation has spread quickly and whenever new residents move into Kay Gardens they are told to go to Gail if they ever need help with anything.

Mary said: "She's looked after a lot of people in our neighbourhood, especially my mother, and she just treats them as if they are her own family.

"Nothing is too much trouble.

"If you say you could do with something from the shop she'll be there minutes later with whatever you needed.

"I really do not know how we would have managed without the help she so freely gives."

Lorraine Prentice, tenancy services officer for Bradford and Northern Housing Association, said: "Gail is the perfect example of a good neighbour in the old fashioned sense. She has her own commitments and responsibilities but is wonderful with the older residents.

"Gail was very supportive with the lady who has just died and never stopped going over.

"This was not the first time she has helped someone like this. She is a rare gem."