THE Good Neighbour category aims to recognise those who step forward when those around them need a helping hand, ensuring that their local community is a happy place to live.

Sponsored by Incommunities, one of the largest housing providers in the UK, the award looks to celebrate the people who go above and beyond to do the neighbourly thing in their local area.

This year’s finalists are Siobhan Dowling, Peter Walker and David Rhodes.

A person who nominated Siobhan said: “Whether Siobhan is checking in on her neighbours, cleaning the streets, organising community litter picks or working with our most vulnerable in a local supported living scheme, she is always doing it with a smile on her face.

“Siobhan cares about community cohesion and strives to live by her ‘love thy neighbour’ ethos. She sees the value in being a team player and works tirelessly to ensure her area is somewhere to be proud of.

“She is a true example of what a neighbour should be, someone you would leave your spare key with!”

The late Peter Walker, often referred to as ‘Mr Wyke’, has been described as someone who was “100 per cent passionate about his neighbourhood and his community”.

Peter, who lived in Wyke for most of his life, “dedicated many hours of his time to his local area and its people”, a person who nominated him said.

“He was an advocate and voice for the community and frequently the fount of all knowledge for his neighbours”, they added.

“He really cared about his neighbourhood and wanted local voices to be heard. He was very articulate, had a dry sense of humour and always had a twinkle in his eye. He was always ready to fight for what he believed in and speak up for Wyke.

“Peter was instrumental in getting many things sorted and fixed in his neighbourhood, including new benches on the village green, a memorial plaque for the fallen World War One veterans and a new notice board. He made sure he kept this updated, so that his neighbours could participate in the community events he organised.

“He played a big part in reviving the Wyke Festival, oversaw many improvements in Wyke Park and was the epitome of a good neighbour and a true friend to Wyke.”

David Rhodes has been nominated for “always encouraging his neighbours to become more actively involved in projects”.

David set up the Oakenshaw Residents’ Association in 2006, which went from strength-to-strength, leading him to set up the Police and Community Contact Point in Oakenshaw Park and becoming a police volunteer.

David is described as “well-known in the village, ready to listen, help and very supportive to other neighbourhood groups”.

“He has committed well over 6,000 hours of his time”, it was added, and “continues to thrive, despite health concerns of his own”.

A recent project David led was the Oakenshaw Village tidy-up, which involved painting a park bench, weeding, tidying planters, and litter-picking.

“David particularly likes to encourage young families to work together on outdoor projects”, it was added.

Vote for your favourite here