Co-op staff from Ingol, Larches and Penwortham have been helping out during lockdown

Co-op in Lostock hall, showing their support for the NHS

Co-op food and funeral care colleagues across Preston and South Ribble have been working with local communities during the coronavirus lockdown.

Two Member Pioneers, David Carthy in Ingol and Larches and Jacqueline Evans in Penwortham, Lostock Hall and Bamber Bridge have been supporting colleagues with community and Co-op Member engagement.

David Carthy made a socially distanced visit to Ingol Community Primary school and with the help of volunteers from St Margaret’s Church in Ingol.

The Ingol and Larches stores provided food for packed lunches for children at Ingol Community Primary School who have been attending Happy Holiday Club sessions during the summer holidays whilst St Margaret’s Church volunteers helped put the lunches together.

Thank you cards and rainbows, colour by children during lockdown

The Intact Centre in Ingol received funding from the Co-op Members Coronavirus Fund to provide food and essential household supplies for local people in need.

Kingsfold Library knitting group members made over 30 pairs of ‘care hearts’ for bereaved families after Jacqueline asked the members for their help.

Martina and Jane at Bamber Bridge Co-op Funeralcare have also got involved, wanting to recognise people who have been local heroes.

Darryl Cartwright, Chairman of Lostock Hall Juniors Football Club, one of their local causes this year, has been busy whilst matches and training were on hold organising several collections of refreshments for North West Ambulance Service. The duo also heard about Bamber Bridge woman, Bonita O’Brien, who has been making up gift bags to deliver to key workers.

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Two local children were recognised for their efforts. Sophia Rose has been delivering recognition bracelets for key workers and gifts to children with rainbows in their windows, and Joshua Blackwell has been holding online raffles with the help of his family, raising over £3,000 for a foodbank.

Martina and Jane made Co-op Local Hero certificates for each of the people being recognised.

Do you know any local lockdown heroes? Let us know below.