Hebburn schoolboy recognised for supporting elderly during lockdown with special award

#LoveSouthTyneside winner 9-year-old Oliver Nicholson receives his award from the Mayor Cllr Norman Dick and Mayoress Mrs Jean Williamson.

A nine year old boy from South Tyneside has been awarded for raising the spirits of his neighbours over the last year throughout lockdowns and the pandemic.

Oliver Nicholson from Hebburn, was named the winner of this year’s #LoveSouthTyneside Award which he received from the Mayor of the Borough, Councillor Norman Dick in a virtual ceremony which was screened online.

When the country first went into lockdown last year, Oliver noticed the impact the restrictions had on his grandad and wanted to support the elderly people within his community.

Using his pocket money, he made treats for elderly residents and on key dates, such as Easter, VE Day, Remembrance Sunday and Christmas, Oliver posted little notes with small treats such as sweets or chocolates through the doors of his neighbours, to raise a smile in the difficult times.

Cllr Norman Dick said: “Oliver is an absolute credit to his community. His small acts of kindness really lifted the spirits of those who were among the hardest hit by the lockdown.

“He absolutely deserves this award and the Mayoress and I would like to thank him on behalf of everyone in the Borough for his thoughtfulness. Oliver embodies the spirit of the #LoveSouthTyneside Award scheme which is all about recognising the efforts of ordinary people who go the extra mile to make South Tyneside an outstanding place in which to live.”

Sadly, Oliver lost his grandad to bowel cancer last year but he takes comfort from knowing that he made life for him and his neighbours easier throughout the lockdown.

Oliver said: “Making those people smile gave me a special feeling inside. It lifted my spirits knowing that I had made someone happy through my actions and potentially made lockdown better for them.”

The #LoveSouthTyneside awards highlight community heroes in the area who have done outstanding work in their community.

Brothers Nic and Taz Ali, who run the Scotch Estate Premier Top Shop in Jarrow were awarded second place for their work in delivering food parcels to vulnerable people while Joe Mills and his daughter Kirsty received third place for their dedication to the armed forces community during the pandemic through NAAFI Break.

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