Alex Jones Backs Making a Difference

Alex Jones, co-host of BBC One’s flagship programme The One Show, has given her backing to this  year’s Making a Difference campaign which highlights the  power of campaigning local newspapers.  

Local papers “provide a unique and vital public service. They listen to the concerns, aspirations and hopes of their readers and campaign for real change on their behalf,” Ms Jones writes in an article for Local Newspaper Week, which runs from 11 to 17 May.

Making a Difference is a showcase of 37 powerful local newspaper campaigns from the past year. During the Week, an online vote to determine the public’s favourite campaign will be held, and the winner announced at the Society of Editors Regional Press Awards on 15 May.

There will also be a Thunderclap running during the Week which local newspapers and publishers can sign up to show their support for Making a Difference.

Among the campaigns highlighted in the showcase are the Bath Chronicle raise funds for a local girl who had her limbs amputated after contracting meningitis and the Bolton News bid to ease congestion on commuter services between Manchester and Bolton.

The Shropshire Star’s campaign to improve mobile and broadband coverage in Shropshire is in the shortlist as well as Wales Online’s push to boost attendance at the funeral of a former Welsh Guardsman.  

The Grimsby Telegraph’s campaign to overturn a Government plan to cut an essential rail service as well as the News and Star’s push to stop parking charges being introduced in Cumbria’s high streets.