PEOPLE and organisations which went above and beyond the call of duty during the coronavirus pandemic were recognised by the Lions Club of Crediton and District at its first in a series of presentation ceremonies held in Crediton’s Town Square on Tuesday, October 27.

Representatives from Age Concern Crediton were the first recipients of a Lions Clubs International Certificate of Appreciation.

Age Concern Crediton worked hard to care for many elderly people during lockdown, offering a valued meals delivery service as well as caring for many people across the community in other ways.

The certificate was presented by Lion Peter Bryan, president, the Lions Club of Crediton and District.

The certificate read "In recognition of how you have volunteered in the community at a time of crisis".

It continued: "When caring people join together, roll up their sleeves and take action to make their community better, it is an incredible feeling for everyone involved. That’s Lions.

"Lions volunteers, lead by example, build positive relationships and improve the world through kindness."

MORRISONS

The second certificate went to the Crediton Morrisons store and was received by the store’s former Community Champion, Hazel Evely and the new Champion, Sharon Arnold.

The Crediton Morrisons store assisted many charities and organisations with food donations during lockdown and in some cases still continues to support many groups in the community.

BOW GROUP

The third certificate went to Bow Volunteers, the Bow Village Support Group which has been offering free help to many in the community with shopping, collecting prescriptions and much more.

Bow volunteers was set up by Carole Thomas, Bev Carmichael and Karen Gutans to help those in need in the village. It has eight volunteers who carry out the duties and the group has also taken cream teas to key businesses in the village to say "thank you" for their help.

The group also celebrated an elderly resident’s birthday by surprising her with gifts and a socially distanced "Happy Birthday" sung outside her house.

It also supports Bow Foodbank, which is run by Bow Congregational Church.

Karen Gutans particularly thanked Crediton Morrisons for its support when receiving the certificate for the group.

FOODBANK

The fourth certificate went to Crediton Foodbank and was received by the Foodbank Co-Ordinator Chris Parsons.

The impact of Covid-19, with the imposition of Lockdown, furloughing and redundancies has meant that Crediton Foodbank has been a lifeline for families and residents of Crediton and the surrounding areas in numbers never before seen.

The next certificate was awarded to Alan Quick, Editorial Manager of the Crediton Courier newspaper to recognise his five-and-a-half months producing the town’s weekly newspaper during lockdown and also for his work with Inclusive Exeter.

Inclusive Exeter is a partnership of grassroots community organisations established to give Black, Asian and minority ethnic (BAME) people in Exeter a greater voice.

During the height of the Covid-19 pandemic, Inclusive Exeter provided food to more than 1,000 people, not only from the BAME community but also to anyone who asked across the city and further afield.

It also involved preparing and delivering free meals to those facing a tough time, as well as translating guidance on self-isolation, social distancing and lockdown in different languages.

TALKING NEWSPAPER

Certificates were also presented by Lion Eric Parkes to Lion Peter Bryan and Lion Karen Todd.

Mr Parkes explained that for some years the Lions Club of Crediton had run the Crediton Talking Newspaper service, read from the "Crediton Courier", which weekly was sent to 59 blind or partially sighted people in the Crediton area.

Mr Parkes explained that due to the pandemic it was not possible for all the volunteer readers to meet to record the talking newspaper each week. He thanked Mr Bryan for recording it weekly in his home and Karen Todd for sanitising all the returned pouches and items each week to ensure everyone was safe.

He said that by their efforts, the Talking Newspaper did not miss being recorded.

With the "Courier", Crediton Lions include a range of downloaded magazines from RNIB newsagents, articles of interest to the partially sighted from Infosound and BBC In touch.

If you know of any visually impaired people who could benefit from this service, please telephone the Crediton Courier on 01363 774263 or email: [email protected] .

PRAISE

Mr Parkes told those gathered: "A lot of people put themselves out or went to a lot of trouble to help others and look after other people.

"These certificates we present to groups or individuals as a way of the Lions recognising contributions made and saying thank you on behalf of all the people you have helped.

"We thank you for what you have done."

Mr Parkes said that if anyone would like to nominate anyone or any organisation or group from the Crediton area, then to please send an email titled "Lions Awards" ? Alan Quick at the email address: [email protected] .

A socially-distanced certificate presentation will then be arranged for those the Lions approve.

Nominations can also be submitted ? Alan Quick, Crediton Courier, 102 High Street, Crediton EX17 3LF.