A HANDYMAN has become the first person to win a housing association’s good neighbour of the year award twice.
Gordon Dixon’s ability to do everything from changing a lightbulb through to mending household appliances made him the overwhelming winner of the Railway Housing Association 2016 Good Neighbour of the Year Award Mr Dixon, who lives in Haddricks Mill, Gosforth, Newcastle, received the award for the help and assistance he gives to other residents.
The 80-year- old was nominated by his neighbours June Waite and Gladys Gradwell.
Mrs Waite said: “Gordon is very helpful and obliging. He looks after my house when I am away. He will do anything for any of the residents, such as putting up shelves and pictures, mending household appliances and cleaning the garden paths, but he refuses to take any payment. He keeps an eye out so I feel more secure”
Mrs Gradwell said: “Since I became ill he has visited me every day to check how I am and to ask if there is anything he can do for me. He gets me a daily paper and any shopping I need.”
This year’s good neighbour was chosen by Railway Housing Association’s residents, through its Resident Forum and Focus Groups. The names of the people who were nominated – and it was a record year – were omitted, so when they voted for Mr Dixon they would not have realised he had won the award in 2011 – the first year of the awards.
Mr Dixon said: “I am thrilled to have become the first person to have won the award twice, especially in a year when there were so many nominations.
“I was an electrician and maintenance worker, so I have always been good at mending things and I have seen no reason to stop just because I am retired.
“I am not happy if I haven’t 70 jobs to do on my list; I just like helping others.”
Mr Dixon received his trophy and a cheque for £50 at Railway Housing Association’s recent residents’ conference. This year’s good neighbour of the year competition was once again sponsored by Drivers Solicitors.
Anne Rowlands, Railway Housing Association Chief Executive, said: “It says a lot about the sort of person Mr Dixon is that he has won the award twice.”
Samantha McAfee, from Drivers Solicitors, said: “We are delighted to be associated with this award and we would like to congratulate a very worthy winner in Mr Dixon.”