A COUPLE who have “given their all” to their community have been recognised with an award.

David and Mary Stanbury were awarded the Wychavon Diamond Jubilee Award for their work with Droitwich Foodbank, in a virtual ceremony held last Friday evening.

The duo were nominated for the award by Droitwich Town Council.

Mrs Stanbury said: “We are stepping down after many years helping those in need in the community as it’s the right time to do so.

“We don’t see the award as just for us, but for all the amazing volunteers who are helping us.”

Mrs Stanbury said use of the vital service has increased by 60 per cent during lockdown, as many people lose their jobs or placed on the Government’s furlough scheme.

University students have joined the bank, as the over 70s volunteers had to step down as they are in the ‘at risk’ group.

As part of the win, £200 was given to the pair who said will be handed to the foodbank for volunteers to have a party, once lockdown restrictions allow.

A £15k grant given to the charity by Wychavon District Council at the beginning of December has been used to buy food vouchers from a major supermarket for service users and to help pay utility bills off for people in need.

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Mrs Stanbury added: “What people often forget is that people in need often have a choice between eating and keeping warm and food is no good if the person has no means to cook the food with.”

The foodbank is part of the Trussell Trust, working together to end the need for such banks to exist to tackle ‘food poverty’.

Grahame Lucas, manager of Worcester Foodbank, has also acknowledged it is a difficult time for its bank , saying the pandemic situation is “unpredictable” and making it “difficult to plan for”.

For more information about how you can help, visit: droitwichspa.foodbank.org.uk