Award for woman who has helped keep Rushden families fed during the pandemic

The winner of an annual award to recognise the unsung heroes of East Northants has been announced.

Nina Robinson has been presented with this year's Susan Hollowell Memorial Award, an award recognising those who go above and beyond for others and to highlight the invaluable work of volunteers who make a difference in their community.

The annual award is organised by Rushden-based charity Serve in memory of Susan Hollowell who died in 2002 aged 63.

Susan was a committed volunteer in the town, chairman of Northamptonshire and Rushden Age Concern and also helped to set up Serve.

Despite Covid-19 meaning the presentation couldn't take place at Serve's annual Christmas carol concert, Susan Hollowell's daughter Cllr Sarah Peacock was able to give the award to Nina outside Serve's new building at 8, West Street in Rushden.

A spokesman for Serve said: "Meet the fabulous winner of our Susan Hollowell Volunteering Award for 2020.

"Nina Robinson from RUSH2TheDEN is our very deserving winner for all her hard work ensuring families have been fed throughout the pandemic."

For more information about RUSH2The DEN, click here.

There were also a number of runners-up for this year's award and they were:

- Bryony Doughty: Nominated by Emily Arrow for creating the Helping out Rushden and Higham Facebook group, linking people in need with help during the pandemic

- Neil Smith: Nominated by Jenna Eady for encouraging the Rainbow movement locally, running social media groups for Rushden during lockdown one and bringing ‘Sid the snake’ to Hall Park

- Shirley Ross: Nominated by Cheryl Smith for being a ‘Godsend’ to her befriendees as she volunteers with NVCA (a division of Serve)

- Nadia Johnson: Nominated by Linda Tiffney for being an amazing ambassador for unpaid carers with Northamptonshire Carers

- Sheila White: Nominated by Katie Bayliss for her 43 visits to patients in KGH this year to collect their views and thoughts thereby improving patient care

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