VOLUNTEERS have been “brought to tears” by the unbelievable community effort to help the most vulnerable in Bold and Clock Face.
For the last several weeks a massive volunteering effort has been undertaken in Clock Face Miners Recreational Club, right in the heart of the community.
The effort has been coordinated by husband and wife duo Susanne and Eddy Edmonds and Craig and Debby Hunt, who run the club.
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Susanne, from Sutton Manor, is the current licence holder at the club and is also a trustee, along with her husband Eddy.
The 37-year-old said the idea to set up a food bank at the club came from Craig, after it was forced to close as a consequence of the lockdown.
As a community-based club, Craig wanted to help the vulnerable people in the community struggling to get out of the house.
“We honestly can’t believe how successful it has been,” Susanne said.
“We have all been brought to tears by how much the community has pulled together and by the generosity of people.”
After coming up with the idea, the founders of the operation took to Facebook to offer help anyone in isolation or at high risk.
Within a couple of days, they became inundated with requests for help from all over St Helens.
At that point they turned to the people of Clock Face and Bold – and they didn’t disappoint.
“The response to this request was overwhelming, donations in the form of food, essential items and cash to purchase more items started to flood in,” Susanne said.
“We have even had a cash donation from Dubai from someone who used to live in the area.
“People from the local community have been volunteering their own time to help with packing, deliveries, posting flyers around clock face and bold and even shopping for further items with the cash that has been donated.
“There are too many people to thank in one message but the team at the rec are eternally grateful to everyone who has helped out.
“It shows what can be achieved by a community when it comes together.
“We are very lucky to live in an area where everyone looks after each other and it is amazing to see this attitude go into overdrive during troubling times.”
The operation has been assisted by Bold and Clock Face Parish Council, which has donated money to the club for food parcels.
Several parish councillors have also volunteered their time, along with regulars of the club and other members of the community.
One woman has been out delivering hundreds of leaflets in Clock Face.
People in the Facebook group have also been helping with prescription collections and any other essential items that people in isolation require.
Susanne said the health of the people they are helping is of “paramount importance”, so necessary precautions have been put in place in all areas of the operation.
Upon entering the premises, hands are washed thoroughly, and then disposable gloves are worn to put together the care packages.
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Social distancing is also followed both at the premises and during deliveries.
Susanne added: “Once again we would like to thank the everyone in Bold and Clock Face for their help in making sure the most vulnerable in our community are safe during these worrying times.
“Without the volunteers none of this would have been possible”.
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