VOLUNTEERS who have helped feed more than 5,500 people have been put up for a Harrow’s Heroes award.

Harrow Foodbank is an independent charity that has one paid staff – a project manager – along with around 70 volunteers and six trustees, who are also volunteers as they all have full time jobs.

Officially opening in June 2013, half of the volunteers have been giving their time since the beginning of the project working in admin, distribution, support and warehouse work.

Project manager Oky Lee said: “It is our team of volunteers who are making all this possible. They believe in what we do and all work collaboratively serving the people in food crisis in our area.

“At the distribution centres, our team approach every single client that comes through the door with love and care; and making them feel welcomed and giving them emotional support as well food parcels.

“Behind the scene, the admin and warehouse teams work closely in order to support the distribution teams for smooth operation for each session.

“With this great team of volunteers we managed to provide food to over 5,500 people to date.”

Part of the Trussell Trust, the foodbank provides three days of emergency food to people referred by partner organisations, including the Citizens Advice Bureau, doctors' surgeries and Harrow Borough Council.

It fully relies on donations and many individuals and groups in Harrow donate food and money on a regular basis – with more than 111 tonnes of food and non-food items being donated to date.

The team has now been nominated for the Harrow’s Heroes Volunteer Team award after being put forward by Ms Lee, who wants to thank her team for their hard work and commitment over the years.

In her nomination form she said: “Yes, there can be hiccups with each other's differences but I have witnessed our volunteers overcoming personal barriers and learn to work with one another serenely.

“There is a great community spirit in Harrow and we are proud to be part of one of the main hubs for the vulnerable people in our area.

“The Harrow Foodbank team of volunteers are a group of amazing people who care about their community and who will go extra mile to meet each client's need.

“I am blessed to have these great people on board and I would like to nominate our team for the Volunteer Team Award category.”

The Volunteer Team award is just one of seven awards up for grabs as part of this year’s Harrow’s Heroes competition.

Sponsored by the Harrow Times, the awards ceremony being held on November 3 at Harrow Leisure Centre in Christchurch Avenue, Harrow, will honour hundreds of volunteers across the borough for their dedication and hard work in the community.

Nominations for the competition have now closed and judges will begin to review each person or team put forward for an award before the winners are announced on the night, with the Harrow Times reporting live from the event.