An Armley charity helping older vulnerable people has thanked the owners of a fish and chip shop who have served 8,000 portions of fish and chips for older people during the pandemic.
Armley Helping Hands CEO Dawn Newsome visited family-run Clarkies Fisheries in Lower Wortley Road, Wortley, to thank them for their support over the past two years and present them with an award.
Since the start of the pandemic Clarkies have worked alongside staff and volunteers at Armley Helping Hands to provide lunch and supper club service to older people and people who have had to shield.
Not only have Clarkies made over 8,000 portions of fish and chips for the Armley Helping Hands team to deliver, but they have also encouraged their customers to support the charity.
Over the past two Christmases owner Sarah Clarke has taken a lead in the charity’s Spread a Little Happiness Campaign.
He customers raised vital funds and donated gifts and food to support the most isolated older people living in Leeds 12 and support families who are struggling in these challenging times.
Armley Helping Hands’ Dawn Newsome said:
“We are grateful Clarkies Fisheries’ customers have offered to pay for one of the Supper Club meals and we have used these donations to support individuals who we know are financially struggling, or older people who have dementia and we don’t want to cause additional confusion to coordinate a doorstep payment.
“The Supper Club is a vital support service enabling us to engage with our socially isolated and older people who are shielding. Our older people have something to look forward to, to break up those long days and the opportunity to speak to someone.”
Ms Newsome was visiting a number of community partners to present them with an award to recognise their outstanding contribution to the LS12 community. She was joined by Leeds West MP Rachel Reeves, who added:
“I am honoured to be representing Armley Helping Hands and have the opportunity to personally say ‘thank you’ to our local businesses and medical practices.
“I really appreciate their hard work to support our local area and how people came together to deliver vital services, particularly throughout the challenging times we have experienced since the start of the coronavirus pandemic. I know that this is valued by our community too. Congratulations to everyone who received a well-deserved award and thank you for everything you do.”
Sarah Clarke added: “It was so nice to receive this lovely award from Rachel Reeves and Dawn Newsome at Armley Helping Hands. It’s been nice to help you all and keep safe. I hope the spread [of Covid-19] stops soon to help our community.”
Awards were also presented to Thornton Medical Centre, Priory View Medical Centre, Karpaty Bakery and Corn Mill Lodge Hotel.
In November, Armley Helping Hands hosted volunteers, businesses and community partners at a special celebration to mark the exceptional contribution made to people’s lives in Leeds 12 over the pandemic period.
The celebration – reported here by WLD – was held at the Corn Mill Lodge Hotel on Pudsey Road. The full list of award winners, which included West Leeds Dispatch, was:
Armley Helping Hands Outstanding contribution to the community
Community Hub Volunteers
Matt Gibson, Diana Webster, Mark Drysdale, Robert Utley, Tina Kinnar, Harriet Smith, Claire Mitchell, Colm O’Donnell, Kathryn Lyons, Julia Love, David Smith, Beth Greenwood, Russ Gable, Janet Clarke, Erica Barker and Vicki Hunter.
Business
- Clarkies Traditional Fisheries 195-197, Lower Wortley Road, Lower Wortley.
- Lane End Farm Shop, Lane End Farm, Tong Lane, Bradford.
- Karpaty Bakery, 79 Town St, Armley.
- Jack Dammes Ltd, 130 Lower Wortley Rd, Wortley, Leeds LS12 4PQ.
Community Partners
- Armley Moor Medical Centre, 95 Town Street, Armley.
- Thornton Medical Centre, 15 Green Lane, Armley.
- Whitehall Surgery, Wortley Beck Health Centre, Ring Rod, Lower Wortley.
- Priory View Medical Centre, 2A Green Lane, Armley, Leeds.
- Barca-Leeds, Unit 2a, Northside Exchange, Wyther Lane, Leeds.
- Voluntary Action Leeds, Stringer House, 34 Lupton Street, Hunslet.
- New Wortley Community Centre, 40 Tong Road, Armley.
- West Leeds Dispatch.
- Armley Neighbour Care Management Team.
- Armley Moor Medical Centre, 95 Town Street, Armley.
- Seagulls Re-Use, 3 to 4, Aire Place Mills, 103 Kirkstall Road.
- Leeds Older People forum, Joseph’s Well, Hanover Walk.
Armley Helping Hands volunteers (who have provided constant support over the pandemic)
Peter Lorryman, Phillip Cave, David Morton, Niki Clayton and Sue Sanders.
