I am delighted to announce that Charlotte Ward and the Happy to Help Group have been awarded the Wealden Hero Award this week.
Charlotte is the driving force behind “Happy to Help", a group of about 30 volunteers from Kings Church and various other churches in the Heathfield area. Before the lockdown, the Group delivered 5,000 leaflets and a local sorting office helped to deliver another 5,000 when lockdown began. The Group has received nearly 400 calls since setting up in March and has been helping people across the Hadlow Down area as well as neighbouring Heathfield and the surrounding villages throughout the pandemic.
Managed by Charlotte, the Group has been busy picking up and delivering over 400 prescriptions, running errands and getting shopping for people who have been self-isolating. Volunteers are paired with people who are feeling lonely and would like a regular chat or a pray over the phone. The Group has also formed bonds with other groups such as Age Concern, to refer people for further support.
Wealden Parish, District and County Councils have been in touch with Charlotte to express their gratitude for the Group’s work. If you need help, please get in touch with the Happy to Help Group at 01435 863786.
Covid-19 is the most profound societal, economic and public health challenge since the Second World War. Our communities have been at their most vulnerable over the last few months and it is important that people have familiar faces whom they can trust to turn to for support. The Happy to Help Group has been invaluable for people in the Hadlow Down and Heathfield areas and I cannot thank them enough for their dedication and determination.
The Wealden Hero Awards are kindly supported by Uckfield FM, Kent and Sussex Courier, Sussex Express and Hailsham FM.
