Christians and insurers combineto give Spencer Road a facelift

Jim Roddy from the Londonderry City Centre Initiative said: “I’d like to commend all of the work which local councillor Christopher Jackson did to support this project.

“He has recognised that Spencer Road traders have found the current recessionary climate very difficult and this project is a fantastic initiative for boosting the positivity of local businesses.”

Staff members at Open+Direct Insurance rolled up their sleeves as part of the annual ‘I Heart Derry’ campaign which this year took to the streets to get the town looking its best.

The annual campaign is organised by Cornerstone City Church who have collaborated with Derry City Centre Initiative, the local community and businesses like Open+Direct Insurance, to repaint shop fronts on Spencer Road and take part in litter picks and the weeding of public areas.

Staff from the local insurance broker have had a busy summer of weeding, painting, planting and picking up litter as part of their support for the Open+Direct Insurance Best Kept Awards which the company is sponsoring for the first time this year.

Nuala Kealey, Store Manager for Open+Direct Derry said, “Teams from our branches across Northern Ireland have been out and about in Ballymena and Saintfield already helping local community groups get ready for the judging of this year’s awards. The team in Derry were dying to get out of the office and lend a hand in getting our local area spruced up and looking its best too. The ‘I Heart Derry’ campaign is a great way of getting involved and pitching in to benefit our city.”

Lucinda Carson-Gibson from Cornerstone City Church added, “It’s great to see local businesses like Open+Direct Insurance getting involved and being keen to make a positive impact to their neighbourhood. Showing the love for your city is all part of ‘Bringing Love to Life’ which is part of the church’s mission here in Northern Ireland.”

The I Heart Derry campaign is organised by Cornerstone City Church on Duke Street, Derry and each year organises events across the city which encourage people to love the city they live in. Activities this year included a kids week and cross community football tournament, on street health checks through the ‘Mobile Medics’ programme as well as this environmental improvement scheme.