Campaigning Christina unites her community

Christina Gater

A COMMUNITY figure has been nominated for a Pride in Oldham award for her work as chairman of the Foxdenton and District Protection Group.

Christina Gater created the group to fight the £100 million housing development on Foxdenton Lane, Chadderton, but has been delighted that her work has also drawn the community closer together.

Mrs Gater revealed her delight at being put forward for the award and paid tribute to the community for their part.

She said: “I’m shocked — it’s really nice of them to nominate me. I’m so surprised and pleased.

“The work that I have done couldn’t have been done without the help of everyone else. I only started it because I got upset that people in the community didn’t know what was going on in the area.

“It’s not just got people behind the group to fight the development, it’s brought people together and got them talking to each other.

“It’s brought back an old-style community with everyone talking about their problems and helping each other out — it’s very humbling and overwhelming.”

Mrs Gater was central to the creation of the group, which began life as a Facebook group. She also organised meetings, wrote letters and arranged social events.

She was nominated for the award by Caroline Fanning, who praised her commitment and her achievement in uniting the community.

She said: “Christina was at the forefront in the formation of the group that provided a focus and information point for worried residents.

“Christina has been tireless in her outstanding leadership, despite full-time business and professional commitments.

“Under her leadership, the group has created a strong community feeling and provided a voice for the concerned people of the area.

“It is due to Christina, her hard work and her personal strength that developers are now taking residents’ views into account.”

To nominate someone or a group for an award, complete the form below or email the required information to editor@oldham-chronicle.co.uk, using the word Pride in the subject line.