Age Concern Central Lancashire has been named as The BIBAs 2020 Business Hero Award.

The charity scooped the prestigious award for its efforts throughout the Covid-19 pandemic, and its work with the older community across the area.

The Be Inspired Business Awards (BIBAs) is an annual highlight among Lancashire’s business community. This year the organisers created The BIBAs Heroes to pay tribute to those who had gone the extra mile for local people during recent months.

As part of its work during the pandemic, Age Concern Central Lancashire brought in a raft of measures to give direct, immediate support to Lancashire’s older population.

These included a dedicated helpline, adapted dementia services and food parcels. The charity’s team also made more than 6,000 welfare calls to check in on the wellbeing of service users.

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Suzanne Carr, CEO at Age Concern Central Lancashire, said: “We’re beyond thrilled to have won such a prestigious award and be named as Business Hero.

“Like many charities across the country, we were hugely impacted by the effects of the Covid- 19 pandemic. From creating immediate pathways of support for our service users and members of public, to closing our shops and centres and cancelling fundraising events and activities that, ultimately, allow us to keep going – it has been an incredibly challenging time.

“It has been a real team effort and we’d like to thank our fantastic volunteers for supporting us, going above and beyond to help make sure our older people were supported throughout this time.”

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The award comes as the charity gears up to mark its 40th anniversary next year. As part of the milestone celebrations, the charity is calling on local people to help raise £40,000 to help secure its future.

Suzanne said: “As a local charity, we take pride in being heavily engrained within our local communities, and plans are well underway to mark our 40th anniversary. It’s essential that we continue to grow and provide our services to those who need it most, so we’re hoping local people will back our fundraising efforts to reach our target.”

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For further information about the charity and how to get involved in its anniversary celebrations, visit the Age Concern Central Lancashire website.

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