A VOLUNTEER from a local community group has won a Covid-19 Emergency Award in recognition of her work with Otley 2030's Fruit and Veg box delivery scheme.

The Covid-19 Emergency Awards, organised by Otley Town Council, took place last week at the United Reform Church Hall on Bridge Street, Otley.

Shannon Coles volunteers with Otley 2030 and organises the group's Fruit and Veg Box scheme, which was set up in response to the pandemic. She received the award in recognition of the support the scheme has offered Otley people during the last 18 months.

She said: "It was a real honour to receive the award, but it was not just for me, it was for all of our volunteer packers and drivers - there are over 30 of us. It was also for Janet from Otley Action for Older People, who manages the database, for Simon and Becky, for Like Nana Did, the Foodbank, and all of our very generous supporting individuals, organisations and donors.

"And, above all, it is for all of the families and individuals that we deliver to, who, through no fault of their own, find themselves struggling to make ends meet. Over and over again we discover that they are using their donation to cook healthy meals, not only for themselves, but for less able neighbours, friends and family members.

"Most of us know that comfortable incomes are partly a matter of luck - the Otley 2030 veg box scheme is an act of solidarity with those who have suffered through these very tough times."

The Otley 2030 veg box scheme continues and the team will be out delivering again this upcoming half term holiday.

On its website the group says: "In late 2020, in response to the ongoing pandemic, and to Marcus Rashford’s ‘End Child Food Poverty’ campaign, we began our Fruit and Veg box project.

"We currently deliver boxes of fresh fruits and vegetables, each school holiday, to between 120 and 140 households. We do our best to support every family, vulnerable adult and older person in the town who is struggling.

"We don’t see this as charity – it’s more about showing solidarity for our neighbours. We plan to continue as long as is necessary. We hope that by 2030 the situation for the members of our community who currently need our support will find themselves in better circumstances than they do today."

Visit www.otley2030.com for more information.