Selfless 12-year-old wins award after giving up free time to help Morecambe residents during Covid-19 pandemic

Hard-working Heysham youngster Charlie Jones has been giving up his free time during lockdown to deliver food to local residents.
Charlie Jones with his award.Charlie Jones with his award.
Charlie Jones with his award.

The 12-year-old Ripley St Thomas pupil this week received a 100 Thank Yous award for his tireless efforts to support the Food Club at Stanley’s Community Centre, in Morecambe.

“He was really pleased to receive the award and the beautiful plaque - he can’t wait to go back to school so he can show his teachers,” said mum Natalie.

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“Charlie has autism, so he’s been going to school for the whole time during lockdown because he doesn’t cope too well with change. He’s told his teachers all about delivering food for the Food Club.”

Charlie Jones and his mum Natalie with his award.Charlie Jones and his mum Natalie with his award.
Charlie Jones and his mum Natalie with his award.

The 100 Thank Yous campaign was launched by the Cumberland Building Society to recognise people in the region who have made a real difference during lockdown.

Charlie’s commitment to his voluntary job distributing food packages to families around the Heysham and Morecambe area was recognised with a nomination from one of the Food Club users.

Mrs Jones continued: “It’s slightly different to a foodbank as people pay a little fee each week and the charity matches it and provides them with food.

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“Usually around 100 families meet and collect their food from the community centre, but obviously this wasn’t possible because of the lockdown. We saw that the charity would have to either stop or recruit volunteers to keep it going. Charlie was only too keen to help.

Charlie Jones with his award.Charlie Jones with his award.
Charlie Jones with his award.

“What was really lovely was that people weren’t just looking forward to their food being delivered, but looking forward to a visit from Charlie and his big smile.”

Earlier this month Charlie was attacked by other children whilst playing in a local park, and although he was shaken, he is determined to carry on his delivery duties.

“It’s been a really upsetting time for him,” said Mrs Jones. “He is so harmless and wouldn’t hurt anyone.

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“When the local community heard about it, they rallied around and there’s been an outpouring of love for him in the village.

“This is the first time he’s done anything like this for charity, but he also raised over £300 for the Food Club with a Facebook appeal during the lockdown.

“One of the people who gets food delivered gave him a pound as a tip to buy sweets, but he took it back and gave it to Stanley’s. He said to me, ‘that felt really nice giving that money to charity - how can I raise more money for them?’.

“Of course I’m really proud of him, and he’s been really committed to doing deliveries every Tuesday and Thursday. It’s still ongoing now, and he’s pleased to be able to help.”

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Des Moore, CEO of The Cumberland, said: “We want to say thank you to people like Charlie by telling the stories of 100 people from across our region who have gone the extra mile to help during this crisis.

““We have not been defeated by coronavirus. Though much remains to be done the way we have worked together and looked after each other has helped us prevail.

“Our 100 thank yous is a salute to that.”

Read about all 100 people featured in the campaign here

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