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Award for veteran volunteer
Riverside Housing recognised the work of one of its longest serving volunteers who campaigned to help change the face of Runcorn in the 1980s.
Veteran community volunteer May Newman, 83, picked up a lifetime achievement award from bosses at Riverside Housing to celebrate her long career as an active tenant working to benefit residents of Runcorn.
May moved from West Derby in Liverpool to Murdishaw, Runcorn in the 1980s. She became an active community volunteer when Riverside Housing, then Merseyside Improved Housing, became landlord, taking over from the Warrington and Runcorn Development Corporation.
As a member of the Runcorn Residents Federation, May had a say on which housing association would take over from the Corporation. She was also involved in the consultation that took place in developing the notorious Southgate estate before Hallwood Park was built.
May said: "We got used to talking to politicians to put forward our views on plans for all the estates. We made sure that the tenants voice was heard loud and clear and we got the best deal we could."
May joined residents from Runcorn, St Helens and Wirral at the Riverside Housing awards celebration. The Halton best tenant award went to Dorothy Lawson for her outstanding contribution to the Palace Fields community and the young person award went to Owen Ashworth.
Alongside his sporting achievements in the Junior championships for disabled sports, Owen is also a Young Person of Parliament for Halton and has lobbied against the proposed incinerator in Weston. He has also fought for 50p bus fare for teenagers and campaigns for improved services for all young people in Halton aged 11-18.
Neil Townsend, director of Riverside Housing presented the awards. "We always try to involve tenants in our decision making and want that to continue," said Neil. "This is the first year that we
have held tenant awards. It's great to see everyone come together and to be able to thank them all for the fantastic contribution they make to revitalising our neighbourhoods."
