Sheriff's award for Fleetwood Together's vital food parcel efforts during pandemic

The community of Fleetwood has been given a special award for its outstanding effort in helping the area's worst off during the coronavirus pandemic.
Volunteers from West View Community Association's young people's group are just some of those involved in the Fleetwood Together projectVolunteers from West View Community Association's young people's group are just some of those involved in the Fleetwood Together project
Volunteers from West View Community Association's young people's group are just some of those involved in the Fleetwood Together project

Fleetwood Together, an umbrella group comprising numerous organisations in the town, has been working tirelessly since March to make sure people in need are given parcels of food and other essentials to help them through the hardship.

Now those efforts have been given recognition with a High Sheriff of Lancashire Award, for "exceptional voluntary service to the community during the Covid-19 pandemic".

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Shaun MacNeill, secretary of the West View Community Association, is one of several coordinators of the massive project and he said: "The award is for the whole community of Fleetwood because that is what Fleetwood Together is.

"It has involved numerous groups and organisations and this award is generous recognition of everyone's voluntary efforts during the pandemic."

At its peak, more than 500 households, mostly in Fleetwood but also in Thornton, Cleveleys and Over Wyre, were receiving parcels every week.

The High Sheriff of Lancashire, Mrs Catherine Penny DL, has given the awards to a number of individuals and organisations who have gone the extra mile to help Lancashire through the Covid-19 pandemic.

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Mrs Penny said: "As High Sheriff of Lancashire, I would normally have been travelling throughout the county, offering encouragement and support to people who are making a difference to the lives of others.

"This year I have been unable to make visits and so I asked others to nominate those who they felt deserved recognition for things they have done during the Covid-19 pandemic."

Over two hundred nominations were received from all areas of the county and for people of all ages.

Fleetwood Together is now operating from two venues - food collection, by appointment only, at the Pantry in the Fleetwood Hospital building and a delivery distribution base, currently, at St Edmund's Rc Church on Melbourne Avenue.

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A major part of of Fleetwood Together's efforts has seen the volunteers working in partnership with Wyre Council to support those directly affected by Covid - including people being advised to shield and others who have lost jobs and incomes.

Shaun added: "Due to the increased demand the team will once again be relocating to the Marine Hall where, thanks to the helpful staff and magnificent facilities, we will be able to prepare food for delivery within Fleetwood and surrounding areas.

"Wyre Council has played a major part in help our efforts."

Among those involved in the efforts are Fleetwood's Rotary, Freemasons and Lions groups, Fleetwood Town Council, the town's churches, West View Community Association, Fleetwood Town Community Trust, the RNLI, the town's schools, Fleetwood Food Bank, the Mustard Seed group, with various individuals and local businesses providing financial support.

Substantial financial help has also come from Government departments WRAP, DEFRA as well as Lancashire Community Fund and the Martin Lewis Coronavirus Fund.

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