Housing Hero Awards (May 2009)

MR GEORGE WALKER (MBE) & MRS SARAH WALKER SHORTLISTED FOR THE HOUSING HEROES AWARDS

Dundonald based couple George & Sarah Walker have been shortlisted from more than 300 entries to the Housing Heroes Awards. This is a new awards scheme launched this year that aims to shine the spotlight on the people and teams that are doing great work in the social/affordable housing sector.

Mr & Mrs Walker are now two of seven left in the running for the Frontline Service Individual of the Year.

The event is organised by Inside Housing magazine and the Chartered Institute of Housing (CIH), and attracted a phenomenal response with submissions from the length and breadth of the UK.

The winners will be revealed at a glittering awards ceremony at London's Hilton Hotel on 10 June. The ceremony will be hosted by TV presenter and former politician Michael Portillo. The awards are being sponsored by Tribal, Construction Skills and Campbell Tickell.

Steve Benson, the President of the CIH said there were some amazing people working in the housing sector. "Our sector spends a great deal of time talking about policy and strategy, business plans and budgets, our visions and our mission statements. Of course all of these things are really important. But in my experience it is the extraordinary people that do fantastic work for our customers that make the real difference. So I want to congratulate every finalist for getting this far in these awards. It was extremely tightly contested, and I look forward to helping to unveil the eventual winners in June."

Inside Housing's events director Ted Stevens said: "All the finalists have done brilliantly in getting this far. Well done to Mr & Mrs Walker for getting shortlisted. The competition was really fierce with well over 50 entries in some categories."

Ian Elliott, Chief Executive of Oaklee Housing Association said "On behalf of the organisation we are both proud and honoured to have two staff members as finalists in this award. George and Sarah have been Oaklee employees for over 25 years and have continually gone above and beyond the call of duty. We would like to congratulate them on this acknowledgement"

Tables of ten (or individual tickets) can be booked now by calling Createvents on 01252 781178. There is a significant early bird discount for all tickets reserved before 1 May. You can find out more by visiting Inside Housing's website: www.insidehousing.co.uk, and clicking on the events section.