News

Council Congratulates Community Champion Anne Bradley on BBC Great Neighbour Award Nomination

17 August 2026

Derry City and Strabane District Council has congratulated Plumbridge community champion Anne Bradley on being named as one of four finalists for the Great Neighbour Award at the 2026 BBC Radio Ulster and BBC Radio Foyle Make a Difference Awards.

Anne has been recognised for more than 25 years of dedicated service to the Plumbridge, Cranagh and wider Glenelly community, where her kindness and commitment have made a lasting difference to countless local people.

Anne founded the Plum Club in 2000 after recognising the need for a local place where older residents could meet, socialise and maintain connections within their community. What began as a small initiative has grown into a much-loved community hub, with Anne playing a key role in securing permanent premises for the club in 2016. She also continued to support members throughout the Covid-19 pandemic, ensuring the group could maintain its vital social connections.

Alongside her work with the Plum Club, Anne is a trustee of the Glenelly Development Trust and has supported numerous community fundraising and charitable initiatives over the years.

Pauline O’Neill, Age Friendly Coordinator at Derry City and Strabane District Council, congratulated Anne on this fantastic achievement.

“Anne is a wonderful example of the community spirit we have across our district. Her kindness, dedication and commitment to ensuring nobody feels alone have made a lasting difference to so many people.

“On behalf of Council, I want to wish Anne every success at the awards. We are incredibly proud to see such a fantastic community champion from our district recognised on this stage, and we will certainly be cheering her on in September.”

Anne is one of four finalists in the Great Neighbour category, alongside Stella McGinn from Castledawson, Jacqueline McDonald from Ballymartin and Doreen Archer from Belfast.

The winner will be announced during a special BBC Radio Ulster and BBC Radio Foyle Make a Difference Awards broadcast on 25th September 2026.

ENDS