Express & Star

Local Newspaper Week: Jacqui Oatley among celebrities backing Express & Star award bid

Celebrities, politicians and even royalty are lining up to back Local Newspaper Week and the Making a Difference award – which the Express & Star has been shortlisted for.

Published

We were nominated for the award for our hugely successful Ladder for the Black Country campaign which has created almost 1,100 apprenticeships across the region.

The Ladder is described as one of 'the strongest editorial campaigns across the UK' in making the shortlist for the award. Local Newspaper Week runs this week and its Making a Difference award highlights the power of local newspapers to campaign for positive change.

Show your support and vote here

Among those backing the award is the patron of Ladder for the Black Country Prince Andrew who has tweeted about the 'inspirational' campaigns up for the award. Codsall-born broadcaster Jacqui Oatley and MPs such as Pat McFadden, Ian Austin, David Winnick and Mike Wood are also tweeting a link to the Local Newspaper Week website to vote for the Ladder campaign.

Meanwhile Nadiya Jamir Hussain, winner of The Great British Bake Off, has backed Local Newspaper Week and told of the vital role the regional press plays.

She said: Local newspapers are a fundamental part of healthy local communities. They fly the flag for their area by championing local businesses and charities, campaigning on important social issues and providing a voice for local people. By doing this, local newspapers act as the glue that binds communities, enhancing and strengthening local networks."

Survival expert Ray Mears is also backing Local Newspaper Week. He said: "As we can see from this year's Making a Difference showcase, whatever the issue is – local newspapers raise awareness and fight on behalf of their readers."

We need your help to get the Ladder campaign the national recognition it deserves.

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