HARD-WORKING volunteers have been recognised for their endless work through the Covid-19 pandemic.

The Leader previously reported that James Hunt, founder of CafGas CIC and Nanny Biscuit community project, launched a group with dozens of volunteers to ensure the elderly and most vulnerable were not left behind.

The team were quick to respond to the ever-changing needs as the coronavirus pandemic quickly unfolded.

From emergency food supplies to buddy phone calls to prevent isolation, hundreds have been helped along the way.

Thanks to their hard work, the team at CafGas have now had the good news that they are through to the finals for the Third Sector Awards.

Competing for the Covid-19: Best service delivery innovation category, the finalists will be revealed on September 17.

James Hunt said: “It was great to find out we were shortlisted. More than anything it’s great recognition for the volunteers. In my eyes, this is for them.

“Just being in the final is great. It recognises the monumental effort of 15,000 hours logged by them over the last 17 months, it’s through their hard work and determination we have gotten this far.”

The team is still working hard to help the most vulnerable through the pandemic.

James added: “We are still in partnership with MoneySupermarket delivering meals around Wrexham, Flintshire and Denbighshire for the homeless and vulnerable.

“We’ve delivered up to 42,000 since June and it was only supposed to be six-weeks. Fair play to them, their budget is £300 a day on this, the team at Bytes also deserve recognition for their actions.

“We still have the phone buddy system which has helped over 250 people. We’ve delivered over 1,000 emergency food supplies.”

CafGas has also helped a family with a free boiler competition which was delivered earlier this year.

Now, as we come out of the pandemic, James said they want to put some focus on their original direction.

He said: “The original direction of Nanny Biscuit was to provide free holistic therapies to elderly and veterans and local DIY SOS.

“We’ve made partnership with Hawarden Wellness Centre to provide holistic therapy.

“We are looking for some volunteers to join Nanny Biscuit in our future endeavours.”

Anyone wishing to join the team can contact James on 07739929592.

More information on the awards can be found online at https://www.thirdsectorawards.com/shortlist-2021