Lending a lockdown hand

From backing local food banks, to supporting the NHS and sharing sweet treats to raise a smile, Tesco’s community champion, Barbara Morris, said it has been a busy year throughout the lockdown at the Welshpool store.

Since the first lockdown in March last year, the store team has given a helping hand to local groups who have been going the extra mile to support those facing challenging times during the Covid-19 pandemic.

Highlights have included supporting new local food and hygiene banks set up in response to the pandemic, and making sure unsold food, flowers and plants found their way to vulnerable people in the local community, including those in care homes and hospital.

Barbara has always enjoyed getting crafty with her sewing machine in her spare time, and used her skills to make mask extenders which were handed out to key workers in store and face masks which were given to staff for free and customers for a charity donation.

Other high points for the store have included delivering festive hampers to the emergency services, collecting clothes and making cannula tube covers for premature babies at Shrewsbury and Telford Hospital, and collecting toys for the Montgomery Crisis Centre.

Barbara, who has worked at the Welshpool store for 18 months, said: “I really love my job and feel so lucky to have it – it really is the best job in the world.

“There are so many great people in our local communities doing amazing things to support others, and we’re just glad to have been able to do our bit.

“2020 was an extremely busy year, and 2021 certainly isn’t showing any signs of slowing down just yet, so if you need support please get in touch and we’ll do our best to help.”

Paul Grogan, community champion manager at Tesco, said: “All across Wales, our community champions are our boots on the ground. They help to find local groups and individuals who need support, and are always there to listen and respond to local emergencies as and when they happen, which is something that has been even more important this year than ever before.

“Barbara and her colleagues in other stores are a massive part of how we support the communities around our stores, and we couldn’t do it without them.”