Wayne Osmond is December’s Amazing Neighbour
One of the aims of the newly established Richmond Yorkshire Community Interest Company this year has been to shine a light on the acts of kindness that happen in and around the town every day. Their Amazing Neighbours initiative has resulted in many nominations detailing wonderful examples of care and compassion. December’s winner, Wayne Osmond, is no exception and his support for his neighbour Julie Wilkinson been recognised with a prize of £100 of shopping vouchers.
Julie explained her reasons for nominating Wayne: “Two years ago, my husband Frankie was very ill and was moved between four hospitals including Darlington, Durham, Bishop Auckland and Northallerton. His treatment took place over a period of 5 weeks.
“I don’t drive, and Wayne drove me to see my husband so I could visit as often as possible. Sadly, Frankie didn’t survive but thanks to Wayne, I was able to spend this time with my husband.
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“Wayne has continued to help me out doing all manner of jobs in the house that I couldn’t do and wouldn’t accept any payment for his time. He is still helping me and offering a listening ear if I am having a bad day.
“I really could not ask for a better neighbour. Frankie did a lot for our neighbours when he was alive and knowing that I can call on Wayne for support is a great comfort to me”.
After reading Julie’s nomination, the Amazing Neighbours judges were keen to recognise Wayne as the final worthy winner of this initiative.
Each month for the last few months, a panel of five judges has independently scored a shortlist of entrants, and they have done so without knowing the names of the nominators or those who have been nominated. The scores of the five judges have then been aggregated to arrive at a winner. Each Amazing Neighbour winner has received £100 in shopping vouchers, with the nominator receiving two free tickets for The Station Cinema.
The CIC’s Directors are extremely grateful to the Amazing Neighbours judges: Baroness Harris of Richmond; Chris Brown, CEO at The Station; Richmond School’s Headteacher Jenna Potter; Hannah Chapman, Editor at the Darlington & Stockton Times and David Walker, CIC Director and Chairman of the Richmondshire Refugee Support Group.
Amazing Neighbours has been made possible with the support of local businesses and organisations including Cooper & Leatherbarrow Opticians, in Finkle Street, Richmond; Zetland Estates; Oliviers Furniture on the Gallowfields Trading Estate; North Yorkshire Council; Richmond Information Centre; the Darlington & Stockton Times; Purple Creative Studio and Richmondshire Today.
Jenna Potter, one of the Amazing Neighbour Judges, presents Wayne Osmond with his prize. Left to Right: Phil Upton of Purple Creative Studio, sponsor; Jenna Potter, Richmond School’s Headteacher and Amazing Neighbours Judge; Wayne Osmond; Julie Wilkinson and Dan Westgarth, General Manager of The Station Cinema. Photo: John Embleton.
2024 has been an amazing year for neighbourliness!
The Amazing Neighbours initiative highlighted Richmond’s un-sung heroes who go out of their way to make life better for those in their community. Each month, a winner was selected by a panel of judges to be given a £100 in shopping vouchers as a reward for their selflessness, while the nominator received two free tickets to the Station Cinema.
The winners included John and Kaye Coutts, who were nominated by their neighbours Pete and Mandy Bogojevic. Describing John and Kaye as "kind, thoughtful and super friendly", the Bogojevics added that they had a challenging home life with a disabled son and their neighbours are both great advocates of Oscar’s. It was no surprise when the winning couple decided to pass-on their prize to a deserving group of young people.
Jane and Adrian Chandler, who live in Conyers Close in Richmond, received several nominations from their neighbours. Their neighbours over the back fence, Nicholas Ozanne and Alice Montgomery, were among the residents who put them forward for the award, saying: “Their selfless generosity in offering time and energy to support so many people in our neighbourhood.”
The judges heard that October winner Julie Mundell had gone out of her way to help members of her community. Rizz Sisson said Julie was “the neighbour you can call on anytime”. She added: “She is definitely deserving of some recognition for what she does, as our Whitefields neighbourhood angel.”
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CIC Director Donald Cline said… ‘It’s been a huge pleasure to hear about how simple ‘acts of kindness’ can make such a big difference in our community. Let’s hope that the promotion will have encourage more people to offer their help without being asked.'