A SHOPKEEPER from Fernhill Heath has received an award for his work within the community during the pandemic.

Alan Kasch, the owner and manager of Costcutter on Droitwich Road, has been awarded the Absolute Radio 2020 Local Community Reliability Award.

The award acknowledges the hard work done for others in communities and as well as £1,000 cash, Alan has been awarded a Sky Q membership free for one year, as well as an iPad all from the radio station.

Alan, 58, has worked in the shop - which is also the village post office - his whole life and has been working with North Claines Parish Council throughout the pandemic to ensure the community have had adequate supplies.

Hilary Owen nominated Alan for the award.

She said: “There is nothing that Alan will not do for you.

“Throughout the pandemic he’s worked 90-100 hours per week to bring groceries and supplies to the village.

“He’s packed and delivered food to the elderly, vulnerable and those shielding in the area.

“He always has a smile on his face and is never too busy for a chat.”

Alan, who hasn’t had a day off work since last Christmas, said he was thrilled to receive the award but was reluctant to receive too much praise.

He said: “I was absolutely delighted to have received this award, but, of course, the real heroes are those working on the front-lines during this pandemic.

“There’s a nurse who comes into the shop in the evenings occasionally, and her face has lines on it from where she has worn her mask all day, so, to me, she’s the type of person who deserves an award.”

Alan said that he is only able to do what he does in the community because of his staff at the shop, and he stressed that they deserve just as much praise.

“All of the staff have increased their hours significantly during the pandemic,” he said.

“When I am out delivering, somebody has to be out there manning the post office, with somebody cooking in the bakery and then someone serving people on the tills.

“I’ve got a retired headmistress who has virtually delivered every day since March to people shielding.

“We’re the village store and post office; I’ve got customers who have supported us for 39 years, and some of these people are now in their 80s and it’s time to pay these people back.

“We never stopped working because some residents haven’t been able to come to the shop since the start of this.

“So for me, the girls in the shop deserve all the praise, they’ve been brilliant.”