‘We couldn’t do it without you’ - Lockdown project praises volunteers

Just some of the Poolie Time Exchange volunteers who are delivering meals and food parcels to the elderly, vulnerable and isolating across Hartlepool during the coronavirus pandemic.

Managers of the Poolie Time Exchange have thanked the outstanding efforts of supporters who have given up their time to make a project delivering food and hot meals to elderly, vulnerable and people in isolation during the coronavirus pandemic a success.

It comes as the Hartlepool Mail, along with sister JPI Media publications, launches the Big Thank You where we salute all those who have kept things going throughout lockdown.

To coincide with Volunteers Week we're saying thanks to those who have given up their spare time to help others, whether running food banks, helping the vulnerable in local communities.

Poolie Time Exchange volunteers with their Teesside Heroes trophy from the Middlesbrough and Teesside Philanthropic Foundation.

At Poolie Time Exchange, an incredible 75 volunteers have joined the important project since the start of the pandemic back in March.

To date, they have given an incredible 5,000 hours.

Ian Cawley, one of the project's leaders and manager of Burbank Community Centre, where it runs from, said: “It’s unreal.

“We wouldn’t exist without them in the way we do. We have delivered about 8,000 meals and 3,000 food parcels.

Councillor Shane Moore, Leader of Hartlepool Borough Council.

“Without the volunteers we couldn’t have done that.”

Poolie Time Exchange’s volunteers range from aged eight to 65 with some putting in up to 50 to 60 hours a week.

Last month, the project was given a Teesside Heroes Award, plus £1,000 towards their work, from the Middlesbrough and Teesside Philanthropic Foundation.

Hartlepool Borough Council also paid tribute to Hartlepool’s army of volunteers.

Council Leader Shane Moore said: “I’ve always known people in Hartlepool come together and support each other in times of need and that’s been particularly evident during the current COVID-19 pandemic.

“In particular, we have seen a huge collaborative effort across Hartlepool to provide vital support to vulnerable residents since the outbreak of the coronavirus crisis.

“There has been a real town-wide effort involving the Council and many voluntary and community sector organisations and I simply want to say thank you for the help and support people are providing to those who are self-isolating or otherwise unable to leave their home.”

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