GROUPS in Glastonbury and Street have been recognised for their response to the coronavirus pandemic.

Glastonbury and Street Lions Club presented seven certificates of appreciation in recognition of those who “have supported the local community in a time of crisis”.

A spokesperson for the Lions said: “These Certificates of Appreciation are but a small token of thanks to the many tens of volunteers who have given hundreds of hours of their time in difficult and trying circumstances.

“Whilst none did so to be rewarded, their contribution to local communities has to be acknowledged.

“The recipients only represent some of those who have helped the vulnerable over the past months but they are groups known to our members.

“We say thank you to everyone who has and continues to help those in need at these difficult times.”

Each week, your County Gazette will be chatting to each of the recipients and celebrating the work they have done over the past year.

One of the winners was the coronavirus support group in Glastonbury.

Tanya Moore, Mark Swann and Karma Mackenzie started the group back in March by delivering fliers to residents in the area.

In the first week of the first lockdown, more than 150 volunteers signed up and there were 100s of requests for help.

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Ms Moore said: ““When the virus was more and more prevalent, Mark and I decided we needed to do something so we set up a Facebook group - we just wanted to make sure people knew there was support available.

“Our phone didn’t stop ringing. In the first four months, I was doing 12 hour days in terms of phone calls.

“Mark took the managerial role, sorting out all the organising. He’s was able to spring into action and he had the foresight to think about what was the best thing to do.

“Street and Wells community groups were asking Mark for advice.”

The trio who managed to organise the volunteers into groups.

There was a shopping and delivery group six days a week, a team on motorbikes who delivered prescriptions, sewers who made face masks, scrubs and scrub bags for those on the front line, a library system where people could donate and read books, a group who made food parcels and gifts for those in need, and so much more.

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Ms Moore said: “A lot of people had never met before and everyone just pulled together and got involved.

“There are some really inspiring volunteers.

“One telephone volunteer phoned same lady three times a week and now still calls once a week.

“Steve, who is a delivery driver worked three out of six days a week.

“He also helped with the books and gifted puddings every now and then.

“As it got colder, he wanted to deliver hanging baskets to people he knew had been the most reliant on the service and he’s now making candle holders for Christmas.

“These people very much want to help and it is lovely to see the young and the old getting involved.”

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Throughout December, residents in Glastonbury can also enjoy the advent windows created by a young volunteer in the group.

Windows will be decorated and certain ones in the town will have numbers (one to 24), which will light up on the correct date.

Next week, we will be talking to Glastonbury and Street foodbanks.

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