ANDOVER Foodbank volunteers have been presented with The Queen's Award for Voluntart Service by the Lord Lieutenant at a presentation morning. 

Nigel Atkinson Esq, HM Lord Lieutenant, visited the Andover Foodbank on Tuesday, July 12, to present the The Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service award to Jamie Symington, the foodbank's chairman. 

Also present were Major (Retd) Mani Rai MBE DL, Deputy Lieutenant and Tom Floyd Esq, Deputy Lieutenant, past and present volunteers, and representatives from local partner agencies and supporters from the local community.

As previously reported, it was announced in June that the Andover Foodbank volunteers had been awarded The Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service.

SEE ALSO: Charities from Andover recognised with The Queen's Award for Voluntary Service

This is the highest award a local voluntary group can receive in the UK and is equivalent to an MBE and awarded for life.  

Jamie said: "I am delighted that the Andover Foodbank has been recognised through this prestigious award. The foodbank has performed valuable service supporting local people facing crisis.  

"Recent and current events have been particularly difficult. But our staff, volunteers and supporters have risen to the challenge with their tireless work and generosity. The QAVS is a fitting tribute."

The Andover Foodbank was started in March 2006 to provide emergency food boxes to people in crisis.  

The foodbank is a community-based project using support within the local community to help those in need.  

It now provides support to people in Andover, Whitchurch, Ludgershall, Stockbridge, Overton, and the surrounding rural areas. 

The foodbank works with more than seventy local charities and agencies and in 2021 helped 6532 people. 

SEE ALSO: Andover Foodbank warns of rise in user numbers as Cost-Of-Living Crisis takes hold in UK

Support and donations are given by individuals, churches, schools, groups and companies.  

The foodbank has more than 96 volunteers, many of whom have been with the organisation for more than five years. 

The foodbank also offers placements to people within the community who may need additional support to lead a fully active life and opportunities for young people to gain work experience, Duke of Edinburgh awards and other awards.   

Jenny LeLean, foodbank manager, said: "Our volunteers are the foodbank, without them it simply would not exist. They are kind, compassionate, creative and dedicated, serving the needs of the community every day."

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