Desborough's Kris is a Rose of Northamptonshire

He's won the award for his community work in the Covid-19 pandemic
Kris Malde has been named as a Rose of Northamptonshire.Kris Malde has been named as a Rose of Northamptonshire.
Kris Malde has been named as a Rose of Northamptonshire.

A Desborough businessman has been named as one of the county's unsung heroes for his work to help the community in the Covid-19 pandemic.

Kris Malde, owner of The R Inn in Station Road, has been named as a 'Rose of Northamptonshire' as part of the awards scheme to recognise those who have worked tirelessly to help others.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Since the nation went into lockdown in March - and with Kris forced to close his businesses for long periods - he has helped by providing and delivering food and meals and offering his venue space out free of charge.

Kris (left) on one of their Friday hot meal drop-offs.Kris (left) on one of their Friday hot meal drop-offs.
Kris (left) on one of their Friday hot meal drop-offs.

He said: "I'm very proud of what we have done.

"We are fortunate that we are in a position where we can help and it's the right thing to do.

"There's a lot of people out there that need as much support as they can get."

Kris was presented with his award this week at a virtual ceremony on Zoom with High Sheriff of Northamptonshire Paul Parsons, who got to hear about the work he has done.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

When the pandemic started supermarkets faced a sudden shortage of essential foods because of panic-buying, with people struggling to find certain items.

Kris, using his suppliers, made community boxes to sell to local residents at cost price with items such as fresh fruit and veg, milk, flour, eggs and bread.

The boxes were also delivered to those who were vulnerable or isolating at no extra cost.

With their restaurant closed, Kris and his team also provided free hot meals to frontline key workers every Friday for about three months.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Those to benefit included KGH nurses and staff, workers at every Desborough care home, the town's firefighters, and teachers and staff at seven local schools.

And their work hasn't stopped there - with those at the R Inn now helping provide food for parents and their children as part of a town initiative.

Kris said: "Currently we are helping with the food packs for kids scheme in Desborough.

"We've given them some meat and food we have leftover from our takeaways.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

"We will carry on doing what we are doing for as long as we need to."

The Rose of Northamptonshire awards scheme was designed by Northamptonshire County Council and its leader, as well as the formal institutions of the High Sheriff's office and Lord Lieutenancy, to recognise that many across the county have committed themselves to response and relief efforts since the beginning of the outbreak.

The awards seek to highlight those in every sector and locality of the county that have played a key role.

To nominate someone, visit the page here.