The Food Banks’ nominator said, “I would like to nominate the Foodbank volunteers who have worked throughout the Covid Crisis. Thanks to their dedication and courage they have been able to continue to provide a frontline service without interruption and have served twice as many people as usual throughout the period. They have continued to smile, be kind and serve clients in their usual gentle way, even when they had their own worries.

During the first couple of weeks after lockdown, the Food Bank was one of the only services open in the town centre and it donated food, toiletries, family activities and games to thousands. Many of the volunteers had to shield, due to age or medical conditions, but some put in extra shifts or worked from home to provide essential fundraising or administrative support.”

Richard Nightingale, Community Champions Founder said, “The services provided by the Food Bank and its amazing, dedicated, devoted volunteers and trustees have literally provided a lifeline to so many in the area. Words cannot express how much their efforts mean to those who need them; therefore, I will only say, if you have spare time, please volunteer, if you have the money, please give generously to them, because whatever the challenge, and their work during Covid shows this, THEY will be there for those who need them!”

https://westonsupermare.foodbank.org.uk/

The Trussell Trust runs the largest network of food banks in the UK, giving emergency food and support to people in crisis. Fourteen million people live below the poverty line and in the last year 2,1 million three-day emergency food supplies were distributed to people in crisis.

Richard Nightingale went on to say, “a big thank you from everyone. The Food Bank is a very worthy joint winner of the 2022 and 2023 Community Champion’s Awards and my heartfelt congratulations to them; also, a special mention to Frederique, who tries to escape the limelight, but not enough people know about her complete dedication to those in need. A big thank you from me and everyone you have helped.”

The Community Champion Awards was founded by Richard Nightingale and funded by the Nightingale Group, Bath Removals and Storage, Nightingale Removals and Storage, Home and Office Storage, Bristol Flying, Local Self Storage and Richard Nightingale. Community Champions of Weston-super-Mare – committed to recognising those who help others.