Young volunteer receives award from Boris for lockdown help

A YOUNG volunteer from Kenilworth has been given the Prime Minister Award, for her service to her local community during the national lockdown.

Molly Bufton-stear, 22, delivered meals to the elderly in her area throughout the country-wide Covid-19 lockdown.

After volunteering in Zanzibar, Tanzania last year, Molly was inspired by her work and wanted to do something herself at home.

She set up ‘Molly’s Meals’ and has served around 2,500 meals to elderly people in her community.

Molly received a daily Points of Light award for her work, which is handed out by the prime ministers office.

Boris Johnson himself commented on her work, saying: “I wanted to thank you for your fantastic achievement in raising an army of local volunteers to deliver over a thousand meals to people in need.

“I was particularly interested to learn of your time volunteering in Zanzibar and your reflections on the strength of communities coming together and helping one another.

“Through ‘Molly’s Meals’ you have channelled that spirit with a kindness and fellowship that has defined the very best of our country through this difficult period.”

In recognition of the award Molly said: “I am so grateful for the recognition and to be receiving this amazing award. I am so thankful to the volunteers that are continuing the ‘Molly’s Meals’ service, and for everyone who has supported it along the way.

“I know there are so many people doing amazing things and I hope this community spirit continues on into the future.

“When people in the UK first started self-isolating due to Covid19, I immediately worried about those within our society that were already isolated and vulnerable and would therefore be affected the most by the changes coming.”

She added: “I decided that a fresh hot meal per day would not only help with the food poverty facing many elderly people, but also give them something positive to look forward to each day.”

Throughout lockdown Molly raised £3000 to keep her services going, which helped many people in her community.

Molly volunteered in Zanzibar with Voluntary Service Overseas (VSO), through the government funded International Citizen Service (ICS) scheme.