Val Flear has been a good neighbour to her "Aunty" Beryl all her life.
Growing up in Sunbury Green, Thurnby Lodge, Leicester, Val has always thought of Beryl Mundell as part of her extended family.
In recent years, Val has been there to help 90-year-old Beryl with all sorts of day-to-day things and Beryl has nominated the 53-year-old in the Leicester Mercury's Good Neighbour Awards 2013.
Val said: "I've known Beryl since I was a little girl – she was the first tenant in her home and so were my parents.
"As she's got older she's relied on her neighbours to help her out.
"Her close friend, who did a lot of things for her, died a couple of years ago so I started helping her every week.
"I go down on Tuesdays and get her pension and pay her bills and always have a cup of tea with her when I do."
Val is also at the end of the phone when Beryl presses her personal alarm if she has a fall, which happened last month.
Val said: "Beryl is in hospital at the moment after having a fall on the stairs.
"I've been going to see her in hospital regularly and she's doing quite well."
Our search for the best neighbour is being sponsored by East Midlands Housing Group (EMHG), which is committed to creating good neighbourhoods throughout the region.
The winner of our competition will receive £500 in cash and the runners-up will receive hampers from Waitrose, in Oadby.
The awards presentation will take place on August 22 at The City Rooms, in Leicester.
There is still a chance to nominate your neighbours for the prize, which will be judged by representatives of the Mercury and EMHG.
To nominate your good neighbour – by the deadline of July 20 – call Nikki Kandola on 0116 222 4310 or go to: www.leicestermercury.co.uk/goodneighbour
