Vital food delivery service which supports vulnerable people in Harrogate given Queen's award
Harrogate Neighbours will be presented the Queen's Award for voluntary service this afternoon
Last updated 2nd Jun 2021
It's been a year since Harrogate Neighbours and Food Angels were told they had won the Queen's Award for voluntary services and today they are finally able to celebrate.
It will be presented by Her Majesty’s Lord-Lieutenant of North Yorkshire at an outdoor awards ceremony at The Cuttings, Harrogate this afternoon (Wednesday 2nd June).
Established in 2012 by non-for-profit organisation Harrogate Neighbours, the Harrogate and Ripon Food Angels was notified of the prestigious accolade in June last year. Due to the pandemic the ceremony was put on hold, but now a year on all those involved are looking forward to receiving the official Crystal Award in a summer soiree.
96-year-old Edith Beckley receives meals from Harrogate and Ripon Food Angels every day. She told Greatest Hits: "Without the food angels I just don't know what I would have done. As time went on I really began to realise that this was the lifeline for me because I didn't need to worry.
"I wouldn't have to worry about what I was going to eat at all. All I had to do was sort my porridge in the morning and the rest of the food got delivered. It's absolutely wonderful.
"I really don't know how I would have gone on as the pandemic has gone on. There was no where to go and in spite of the restrictions somebody came every day to bring me a meal."
In a year like no other, the volunteers and staff who have been awarded have worked harder than ever to deliver daily nutritious hot food to support the most vulnerable people living in the community.
A team of dedicated people prepare and deliver over 150 fresh, hot meals every day to the elderly, socially isolated and people who were been forced to shield in North Yorkshire.
Mr Robert Jones, a client of the Harrogate and Ripon Food Angels, said: “I look forward to receiving my meals from the Food Angels; it is very reassuring to have someone check in on me each day and the selection of meals is excellent and very well prepared.
"The volunteers who deliver the meals are lovely people and our little chats brighten up my days. All through the bad weather this winter they have never failed to deliver and they even brought me my lunch on Christmas Day, at the same time entertaining me with e Christmas carol. Thank you for the rays of sunshine they bring with the lunches.”
Speaking on behalf of the Harrogate & Ripon Food Angels, Sue Cawthray, CEO of Harrogate Neighbours, said: “We are delighted to have been honoured with the Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service. To be recognised to this degree is testament to our incredible volunteers who work tirelessly to deliver such an important service into our community.
"The number of daily meals continues to rise as we support even more people in the community who were forced to shield as a result of the pandemic. I am so thankful to the team at Harrogate Neighbours and look forward to being able to properly celebrate this wonderful achievement with Her Majesty’s Lord-Lieutenant of North Yorkshire, staff and volunteers.”
To help support Harrogate Neighbours through volunteering, donating, fundraising, sponsoring an event or to join the team please visit www.hnha.co.uk or call 01423 888777.