Unsung heroes who work at West Cumbrian food projects were among those being praised by Cumbrian TV celebrity Helen Skelton.
They included volunteers at Northside Community Centre and projects in Cockermouth, Aspatria, Distington, Salterbeck, and the Derwent Rotary Club.
Helen Skelton was the guest speaker when one hundred and fifty volunteers from 40 vital community food projects across Cumbria and Lancashire attended the ‘Celebration of Kindness’ event.
All give their time to run food banks, food hubs, pantries, breakfast clubs and kitchens - which are a lifeline to thousands hit by high food, energy and living costs.
Helen Skelton told them: “I am in awe of you here tonight. Food poverty is such a huge issue which isn’t going away anytime soon, but the commitment and enthusiasm you all have for helping your communities is inspiring.”
Reflecting on the celebration evening, Helen said: “Tonight has been a wonderful celebration and a brilliant acknowledgement of what is essentially lots of small acts of kindness that have such a huge impact on our communities
“It is one of those evenings where hopefully everyone will leave feeling very buoyed and energised, but definitely very humbled and inspired.”
The event, which took place at the North Lakes Hotel in Penrith, was laid on by The Cumberland as part of its Kinder Kind of Kitchens initiative.
The Carlisle-based building society donated £250,000 this year to the charity FareShare Lancashire and Cumbria, providing funding for a network of local food banks and food projects and helping them expand their services.
Claire Deekes, chief customer officer for The Cumberland, said: “It has been an honour for The Cumberland to host this celebration event for these amazing people."
Among those receiving a plaque were the volunteers at Northside Community Centre who included Workington mayor Beth Dixon and her husband, Gary, and daughter, Amy, who helps in the school holidays.
Gary, chairman of the community centre, said, “We are helping up to 20 people every week - people who have no money and pensioners who need help."
Also receiving a plaque last night to recognise their work in the community were the Derwent Rotary Club, and South Workington Youth Partnership.
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