THE Voluntary and Community Group award, sponsored by Bradford Volunteer Centre, recognises groups run by the community for the benefit of local residents in and around the Bradford district.

This year’s finalists are Save The Mothers Trust, Helping Hands Bradford and the Bracken Bank and District Community Association.

Save The Mothers Trust, a team of young volunteers, began its initiative in May 2020, during the first lockdown.

“As families and individuals were suffering from being out of work, or suffering from a decrease in income, some members of our community were also required to isolate and therefore they needed assistance”, said a person who nominated the project.

“This project was aimed at people who needed a hot, cooked meal - this could be due to medical conditions, a disability or an inability to cook.

“Due to the desperate need in the Bradford area, they have continued since then and after the lockdown, and to date they have cooked, packed and delivered over 50,000 hot meals.

“They are currently operating four days a week, serving over 70 meals per day.

“They also run a soup kitchen in a community centre every Friday.

“The group consists of young volunteers who give their time and resources for this project, without any form of remuneration.

“They take time out from work, studying and family commitments to dedicate their time each week to undertake this work in the local community. This is a project for Bradford, ran by the youth of Bradford.”

Helping Hands Bradford has also helped to give out food parcels to those in need and “works tirelessly to help the many vulnerable and desperate families in crisis”, said a person who nominated the group.

The project is run by Claire Tempest, who has been described as “amazing” and as an “inspiration”.

“Claire goes above and beyond for everyone” and “will be on that phone non-stop, all day and night, helping others”, it was added.

The Bracken Bank and District Community Association was nominated for its “outstanding community work”.

This has included a recent fundraising event where the group raised £2,000 for a young girl who was ill.

“They work tirelessly for the community, 24 hours-plus. All the committee live in the community, so have first-hand knowledge of the issues arising, and they are always on hand to help were they can”, said a person who nominated the project.

“The community are very lucky to have such a committed set of volunteers working on our behalf.

“They have also just finished a grand sponsorship to raise enough money for an external multi-purpose fitness gym, which will provide a valuable exercise project for the community and add a much-needed fitness hub for people who may not be able to afford the expensive gym fees.”

Vote for your favourite here