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I’m so proud of green award

A single mum has won an award for her green cleaning company. Julie Bishop, of Living Clean, is now able to represent the UK in the European Business Awards for the Environment.

An environmentally-friendly cleaning company set up by a city mum is in line to receive an international green award.

Julie Bishop, 39, who started Living Clean in 2002, is a winner in the Green Apple Environment Awards and is now eligible to represent the UK in the European Business Awards for the Environment.

Ms Bishop will receive her award at the House of Commons in November, for using environmentally-friendly products in her cleaning company, and will then be entered for the business awards. The mum-of-one, from Hillcrest Road, Thorpe St Andrew, said: "It will be lovely to be an ambassador for this country on green issues and represent Norwich on an international stage. We have been a bit overwhelmed but are overjoyed at wining the green award and entering the business awards."

The business awards, run by members of the European Union, reward enterprises that have pioneered environmentally friendly policies, products and processes. National competitions will be held in the participating European countries, and the best proposals in each will be awarded and sent to the EU competition jury. The next awards are to be held in 2008 and will cover four areas: management, products, processes and international co-operation.

Ms Bishop set up Living Clean, which has its Norwich base in Unthank Road, in 2002 amid fears chemicals in conventional cleaning products were responsible for her son's asthma and her father's cancer.

When her eight-year-old son Paul Newman suffered an allergic reaction to paints, she had the idea of a cleaning business using environmentally safe and biodegradable products. From a modest start using a £1,000 loan to buy a van, the company now employs 20 staff, has a second office in Dereham and covers businesses and homes across Norfolk and Suffolk.

Initially she had to import the products, but now has a contract with a local chemical firm to produce and supply her cleaning products, and hopes to take the service nationwide. Do you know someone who has won an award for helping the environment? Call Evening News reporter Tracey Gray on 01603 772418 or e-mail tracey.gray@archant.co.uk

Tracey Gray