More than 50 volunteers attended an event held last weekend to celebrate receiving the highest award a voluntary group can receive in the UK.
Hambleton FoodShare which provides emergency food parcels for people who are in temporary financial crisis and distress across the whole of the Hambleton District has been honoured with the Queen’s Award for Voluntary Services – the MBE for volunteer groups.
The Queen’s Award aims to recognise outstanding work by volunteer groups in their local communities. It was created in 2002 to celebrate the Queen’s Golden Jubilee.
Winners are announced each year on June 2 – the anniversary of the Queen’s Coronation. A total of 281 organisations from across the UK have received the prestigious award this year.
“Hambleton Foodshare has been relieving poverty in Hambleton since 2013 by raising funds and collecting and distributing food to individuals, families and groups in crisis,” said Michael Webster, chair of the Foodshare
“We have an immense vision, a strong team of trustees and volunteers supported by only one member of staff who is part-time; everyone has a role which is vital to the success of the group.
“Unlike many organisations with a large number of volunteers, Hambleton Foodshare is organised into teams with a leader and a deputy leader and all of them are active on a rota system.
“Whilst we are extremely proud and it is a tremendous honour to have received this award and to see the life changing work our charity provides given national recognition, it saddens me to think a foodbank is needed and without the generosity of the local community in making donations we would not be able to operate and provide this vital service.”
For further information on the work of the foodbank please contact co-ordinator Alison Grainger on 07514 244158 or info@hambletonfoodshare.org.uk or visit www.hambletonfoodshare.org.uk
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