A KENDAL woman who overcame personal tragedy has found joy in bringing kindness and compassion to her neighbours and was most recently named as a community award winner.

Diane Burrow, 58, was named as a community hero winner 2021 by the South Lakes Housing after being nominated by her neighbour Helen.

Diane has been praised for helping her elderly neighbours in various ways, from helping them walk their dogs and pets, doing shopping for others and assisting with the tending of their gardens.

She overcame her own personal difficulties following the loss of her son last year due to health issues, but now she is supporting others in her community on Kettlewell Road.

Diane said: “My neighbours are like family as well. For me and my daughter they are everything to us.

“Getting the award was a bit of a shock but it was very humbling.

“I love my neighbours, and I love helping look after their dogs.

“They are like the family I never had and it’s such a good street on Kettlewell.

“I have lived in Kendal for about 30 years now. I was born in Whitehaven and then grew up in Workington. I later came to Kendal.

“I also used to work as an auxiliary nurse for Westmorland General.

“I do a lot of gardening for some of the neighbours. When I came to this house the back garden was like a building site but I was able to clean it up. I actually got an award for the South Lakes gardening competition which was nice. Got some vouchers for the garden centre and a trophy.

“I have a few elderly neighbours and we started looking after their dogs. My neighbour Margaret who lives across from me is wonderful and she helps me a lot.

“For the community award I got a £50 voucher for ASDA and it really helped paying for things over Christmas as money was tight.

“I was very shocked by the result but it was so wonderful. I love my neighbours.”