National charity Living Streets is asking people to nominate local groups or individuals who have gone the extra mile to improve their local community.

Living Streets, the UK charity for everyday walking, is looking for inspiring stories of community cohesion for the Charles Maher Award – Walking Champion 2020, which recognises an individual, group or organisation who have helped achieve a better walking environment and got people walking.

The award was set up in honour of Charles Maher, a campaigner and longstanding supporter of Living Streets.

The 2019 Charles Maher Award was won by Brenda Puech recognised for transforming a parking space outside her home in Hackney into a mini park – or ‘parklet’ – creating an innovative use of street space which was popular with her neighbours and eventually led to parklet permits being made legal in her borough.

Will Griffiths-Stent, engagement manager, Living Streets, said: “There are some very dedicated people working tirelessly for their local community to transform their streets into safer and more attractive places to be.

“We think it’s only right that these inspirational folks get some recognition for their efforts.”

The Living Streets Charles Maher Award can be entered by an individual, local group, organisation or local authority itself or by a nominated person.

Nominations will close on 12th February. The nomination form can be found on the Living Streets website https://www.livingstreets.org.uk/charles-maher-award

The award will be presented at Living Streets’ Walking Summit on 6th March, tickets can be ordered at https://www.livingstreets.org.uk/get-involved/national-walking-summit