Members of Gainsborough Avenue Management Committee are all over the age of 60 and in charge of the Gainsborough Centre in Whiteleas, South Shields.

Dawn McGreevy, from South Tyneside Council, who has worked closely with the group, has nominated them for Community Group of the Year in the Pride of South Tyneside Awards.

She said: "The process has been long and very difficult at times. The commitment of this group of people to the centre has been outstanding.

"They have learned new skills and have grown in confidence and ability over the past year.

"The hard work they have put in on a day-to-day basis, and in arranging special events and outings for the members, has been amazing.

"They have opened the centre up and run the service on bank holidays, including Christmas and New Year, and also on two evenings per week.

"Their energy and motivation is inspiring. Their enthusiasm for the centre and commitment to providing an excellent service for members has seen the centre go from strength to strength.

"They are providing real benefits for the people of South Tyneside. They are a group of people to whom South Tyneside should be both very grateful and very proud of."

Committee member Winnie Mathieson, 74, said the nomination came "out of the blue", but it was nice to be put forward for an award.

She added: "Obviously it is not easy, it is hard work, but we are getting a lot of pleasure out of it. We have got a good manager and support each other all the way. We get on great with all the staff who are on loan to us from social services."

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