Volunteer awarded for lockdown efforts
Thanks has been given to a community stalwart who has received an award for going above and beyond in his work to support the community through lockdown.
Having designed and equipped the Henfield Helpline, chairman of Henfield Haven Digby Stephenson then worked tirelessly five days a week throughout lockdown to help co-ordinate volunteers to deliver shopping and medicines to residents who were shielding. His efforts saw him receive an award from the High Sheriff of West Sussex.
Malcolm Eastwood, Henfield Parish Council chairman, said: “When Henfield Parish Council were approached by the High Sheriff by the High Sheriff, the Queen’s representative in West Sussex, to nominate a volunteer, the name Digby Stephenson immediately
came to mind.
“I was delighted when Digby called to say he had received a High Sheriff special recognition volunteer award in the post.
“As well as thanking Digby we should also thank Belinda Samrah and Lorette Mackie who worked alongside Digby, as well as all of the volunteers who delivered medicines, food and moral support to our community through a particularly difficult period.
“Thank you to everyone for working together to keep us safe.”
Mr Stephenson said: “2020 will be remembered by all of us as a very unusual and challenging year. For me, helping to organise and operate theHenfieldHelpline at the Haven, together with Belinda Samrah, was a very rewarding experience and saw our wonderful community spring into action willingly and most effectively. This award is therefore hugely deserved, but not by me. It is for everyone who played their part in a difficult, and certainly memorable, year.”