Winner: PALRAM
Aycliffe Business Make Your Mark Awards
GOOD NEIGHBOUR AWARD
Sponsored by
THE FINALISTS
Palram warehouse manager Billy McCormick was presented with the Good Neighbour Award by Dan Wilkinson of category sponsor Husqvarna UK.
Winner: PALRAM
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We do it because we care”: the words of Palram warehouse manager Billy McCormick when asked to explain the firm’ s incredible support for the community it’ s based in.
Billy was speaking after Palram picked up the Good Neighbour Award – one of 11 handed out at the Make Your Mark Awards 2026.
Last year, Palram won the Community Champions Award – the forerunner of this year’ s rebranded Good Neighbour category.
And now the firm’ s generous spirit has again been rewarded after a night that saw them pip Aycliffe Neighbourhood Police Team and Murtek to win the Good Neighbour title.
Billy, who received the award from Dan Wilkinson of category sponsor Husqvarna UK, told the 250-strong audience:“ It goes without saying we’ re all businesses here to make money but behind the scenes at Palram, there’ s a team, a group of people, who work tirelessly day in, day out.
“ We care – it’ s not all about pennies at the end of the day. That’ s good, of course, but we like to be a good neighbour too.
“ We just want to build on that neighbourhood support that we give people and businesses within Newton Aycliffe and we’ ll continue to do that, free of charge. We can’ t please everybody, but we’ ll aim to do our best.”
Palram’ s annual support for a free Santa’ s Grotto is legendary, but the firm does much more than that – from providing materials and labour for local projects to creating a sensory room at Glow Church and helping with vital repairs at the Lifeline Community Hub.
Billy, who has been with Palram for 15 years, said:“ The people I work alongside are fantastic – we care about what we do.
“ Primarily, we manufacture PVC sheets for a global market in a business sense but within the local community, we do a lot of work for local charities. We’ ve supported the grotto for a number of years but we do a lot more too.
“ We do it because we care about the local community. We can’ t help everybody but we aim to do what we can to make it a better place and support people in need.”
AYCLIFFE NEIGHBOURHOOD POLICE TEAM The Aycliffe Neighbourhood Police Team, based at the Glo Centre, is shortlisted for their proactive commitment to the Business Park and wider community.
Since 2024, they have strengthened security by launching a walkie-talkie reporting scheme and providing free safeguarding training.
Beyond enforcement, the team excels in building bridges with young people, visiting schools to teach internet safety and engaging through sport to break down barriers.
Their visible presence keeps crime minimal while their active support of local fundraisers- including Children in Need and Comic Relief- demonstrates a dedication to the community that goes far beyond traditional policing.
MURTEK Murtek is nominated for its consistent, practical commitment to the Newton Aycliffe community and its role as a resilient neighbour.
Since 2024, the company has provided affordable, tailored services to local charities, notably establishing the first dedicated phone line for Sisters of Support CIC.
Murtek’ s team actively engages in fundraising, raising thousands for children’ s services through events like the Newcastle 10K and providing seasonal donations to families.
By sharing expertise and resources on the Business Park, Murtek leads by example, demonstrating how a local business can make a measurable difference to the wellbeing and connectivity of its community.
PREVIOUS WINNERS 2025: PALRAM 2024: PIONEERING CARE PARTNERSHIP 2018: PLANET LEISURE 2016: DISC 2015: NEWTON PRESS 2014: THRIVE
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