The Anchorsholme family bringing joy to hundreds of Fylde coast key workers

Paul Clarke, 46, is working from his Maitland Avenue home during the pandemic for the civil service, processing new claims for Universal Credit.

Despite being kept busy with his job and looking after his three children, he decided to help the Friends of East Pines Park with the group's "thank you bags" scheme, delivering bags of gifts to the Fylde coast's key workers.

With the help of his children, Cardinal Allen Catholic high school pupil Alicia, 13, and St Teresa's Catholic primary school pupils Evie, 10 and Elliott, seven, he set out to deliver around 150 bags.

Paul said: "I started volunteering around eight weeks ago. I saw that East Pines had asked for help with deliveries and thought, why not?

"I'm more than happy to help. It's been great fun taking the kids with me, and we've delivered the thank you bags to all sorts of different key workers.

"We've been to taxi and bus drivers, nurses, shop workers, cleaners, police officers, and more. The feedback has been remarkable, everyone was so grateful for the bags and it was my pleasure to help."

The bags were the brainchild of Anchorsholme Councillor Paul Galley, and other members of the Friends of East Pines Park charity, who wanted to show their appreciation of all key workers during the pandemic.

Coun Galley, chairman of the park charity, said: "I am so grateful to the Clarke family, without them we just wouldn't have been able to reach so many people.

"They have been incredible, and the Fylde coast has gained three junior key workers. We owe this amazing family so much."

The bags were funded by a Covid-19 grant from Warburtons on Blackpool Business Park, along with donations from Foxes Biscuits and Blackpool Bid.

Key worker nominations for the bags are now closed, but the park charity is working on its next donation scheme for elderly and vulnerable residents across the FY5 area.