The latest winner of a scheme to recognise outstanding community spirit has been praised for her positivity and willingness to help others.

Amazing Neighbour Coleen Jenkinson Smith, of Richmond, has been presented with £100 of Tesco shopping vouchers as a thank you for everything she does to brighten up the lives of others - even more admirable given that she is so busy caring for her own family.

The Amazing Neighbours scheme is run by the Richmond Yorkshire Community Interest Company, a not-for-profit organisation with the aim of making the town an even better place to live and visit. The competition’s judges were extremely impressed by the nomination submitted by Coleen’s neighbour, Nina Davies.

Nina said of Coleen: “She’s one of the most thoughtful and kindest people I know. She has helped me out a lot, whether it’s been to collect stuff or taking me and another neighbour out for the day as we don’t drive, going shopping or simply just making time for a chat. She’s amazing.

(Image: JOHN EMBLETON)

“I’ve never seen Coleen in a bad mood. All the time I have known her, she never gets annoyed or angry. She is so lovely and always has a smile on her face.”

The judges are keen to hear about other Richmond residents who, like Coleen, go out of their way to help their neighbours without a fuss or expecting anything in return. The initiative, which is free to enter, invites people living in the DL10 postcode area to nominate their Amazing Neighbours. Each month, the winner will receive £100 in shopping vouchers in recognition of their kindness to others, with the nominator receiving two free tickets to The Station Cinema.

(Image: Contributor)

The Amazing Neighbours judges are 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.

Each month the judges independently score a shortlist of entrants, and they do so without knowing the names of the nominators or those who have been nominated. The scores of the five judges are then aggregated to arrive at a winner. A new Amazing Neighbour is recognised each month. Everyone who is nominated will stay in the running throughout the duration of the campaign which means that even if they aren’t chosen one month, they could still be selected as a winner another month.

Sponsorship is provided by 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 Station Cinema; the Darlington & Stockton Times; Purple Creative Studio and Richmondshire Today.

Do you have an Amazing Neighbour you would like to nominate? You can do so at www.amazingneighbours.com or pick up a nomination form from Richmond Information Centre in the Market Hall.