George Sutherland, a 79-year-old volunteer at Telford Crisis Support, recently received recognition from Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer at the Labour Party conference. Sutherland has dedicated the past decade to the foodbank, which has seen a significant increase in demand for its services. He emphasized the importance of his work, stating it brings him joy to support individuals facing economic challenges.
Sutherland was nominated for recognition by Shaun Davies, the Member of Parliament for Telford, and the foodbank itself. During the conference in Liverpool, he had the opportunity to sit in a prominent location and engage with fellow volunteers, all of whom shared a commitment to community service.
In his speech, Starmer highlighted Sutherland’s contributions, noting his positive demeanor while delivering food parcels to those in need. Sutherland expressed that the experience was deeply meaningful to him, ranking it among the most significant moments of his life, alongside family milestones. However, he was quick to clarify that the recognition should be for Telford Crisis Support rather than himself, stating that he feels no different from new volunteers.
Davies praised Sutherland’s dedication and impact on the local community in a post on social media. Reflecting on the past year, Sutherland mentioned the challenges posed by rising food prices, which have made it increasingly difficult for people to offer surplus food. He encouraged anyone in need of assistance to seek help without feeling ashamed. This highlights the ongoing challenges faced by food banks in supporting vulnerable populations amidst economic difficulties.
Source: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c5yqrq5ke7po?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss