Northampton mother named as Rose of Northamptonshire after feeding 2,000 people during pandemic

Anya Willis was nominated for the award after she helped feed thousands of people since the pandemic first began back in March 2020.

The 38-year-old is a part-time staff member working five days a week at the charity Re:store Northampton, which has also won a Rose of Northamptonshire award.

The charity's projects range from crisis support, providing food and necessities to those suffering from unforeseen economic hardship, to longer term support work in the form of sharing skills and giving emotional and practical support.

Anya, who joined the charity in 2013, said: "My family is really proud I was awarded the rose. I am really nothing without the team, it really is a team effort, it is about everybody. It's really nice to honour everyone who is part of the Re:store team."

There are around eight members of staff at the charity and nearly 60 volunteers.

On receiving a separate Rose of Northamptonshire award, a Re:store spokesperson said: "We will continue to work hard to combat food poverty within our community and are so thankful and grateful to all those who support us."

Anya added: "I think it's good to recognise local charities step up when government services close down. One of the things when I started this was we were plugging a gap.

"2,000 children and adults seems like a lot but in reality it is just skimming the surface - I think there is more that could be done."

The mother-of-two said she has had positive feedback from those who have benefitted from her's and the charity's work.

She said: "We try to give with dignity and respect, so it's not just a food parcel there's support alongside it.

"People say they never imagined they would be in this situation [receiving food parcels]. Others have said 'without you we would not have been able to put presents under the tree or food on the table'."

According to Anya, child poverty in the town has increased from 24 per cent to 37 per cent of children, with poverty classed as not being able to afford two meals a day.

She said: "The Foodbank has been the main part of what we have been doing. Our biggest aim for 2021 is to support families and expand that."

For anyone interested in helping the Re:store team, visit their website here.