Neighbourhood 'knight' saves day for driver

Published July 28, 2010.

Neighbourhood warden Jason Collins became a knight of the road when he saw a man struggling to change a flat tyre.

Jason, who is Durham County Council’s neighbourhood warden for the Stanley area, was on his beat patrolling in Catchgate when he came across Peter McKenna trying to retrieve something from the boot of his car.

“I noticed his distress and that his tyre was flat so I went over to see if I could help,” said Jason.

“Mr McKenna was thrilled as he had just had a knee operation,” he said.

Jason changed the tyre and thought no more of his good deed until Mr McKenna called into the office to say thank you and then went to the trouble of sending a letter.

 “I was clearly unable to do anything myself to rectify the problem,” said Mr McKenna.

“Whilst wondering what best action to take, up popped Mr Collins who changed the tyre with such courtesy and efficiency that I couldn’t believe it.

“In this day and age, to receive such service was unbelievable,” he said.

Belinda Snow, the county council’s neighbourhood warden co-ordinator said: “We introduced a new neighbourhood warden service in the north of the county which aims to improve the quality of life by providing a uniformed presence in residential areas.

“They are the ‘eyes and ears’ of your community and are here to help whenever they can,” she said.

Ends.