In 2020 The High Sheriff of West Sussex launched a unique award to celebrate residents who have shown exceptional acts of kindness during the coronavirus pandemic. The Special Recognition Volunteer Award is aimed at any resident in West Sussex who has acted in a voluntary capacity throughout lockdown and beyond.

As one of his last acts as the High Sheriff of West Sussex, Dr Tim Fooks, presented Darren Greenaway from the The Greenaway Foundation with the High Sheriff Award, recognising the charity’s efforts in the Crawley, East Grinstead, Horley and surrounding areas. Along with the award is a grant for £500 which will go towards this year’s Christmas efforts.

The Greenaway Foundation is the formal charity of local East Grinstead estate agents Greenaway Residential and is also the nominated charity for the East Grinstead Business Association.

On the morning of Christmas Eve, Dr Fooks along with another 170 volunteers turned up at Oriel High School in Maidenbower to witness and help with the charity’s annual Christmas event. The Charity delivers all of the ingredients needed to prepare and cook a healthy two course Christmas dinner for the household to financially challenge families in the local area. Year on year, the number of families being helped has increased since its launch ten years ago and this time over 550 families received a delivery.

Many children from these families are also invited to make a wish for a gift of their choice which is then delivered along with the food.

The charity also helps local schools to support students from families who are financially struggling with things like uniforms, school lunches, travel to and from school and sometimes even helping to pay for school residential holidays.

Pictured receiving the award (left to right) is Emma Coleman, Darren Greenaway, Dr Tim Fooks, and Simon Brown

www.greenawayresidential.com/Charity