Cherie Tinenti

Cherie is a true inspriation. Living in one of the mosts deprived areas in the country Cherie and her disabled husband, Marios, took a stand against drug dealers blightling their area and were instrumental in ensuring a crack house was closed in their area. They continued to fight to improve the area where they lived and campaigned tirelessly to get a community house opened in the area allowing the local community to have access to agencies providing support for their diverse needs. Unfortunately Marios passed away in April 2009 but despite having to deal with her huge personal loss Cherie continued with their campaign and a centre has now been opened and is used by nearly 200 residents every month. Cherie works at the centre every day and has worked tirelessly to get agencies to attend the centre providing essential advice on housing, benefits and health issues. The centre is the hub of the community and holds regular events, such as BBQ's and information days, to bring the community together. The relationship between the Police and local community has improved and crime in the area has fallen dramatically, so much so that Cherie received a community crimefighter award from the Home Office and the centre has been visited several times by various MP's and government officials wanting to learn from the centre. Cherie has achieved all this through her hard work and determination and is always cheerful and positive despite her own personal hardships.