BORO HERO AWARD FOR SELFLESS TEESSIDER

A SELFLESS Teessider has told of her pride at the care and compassion of members of her Facebook group being recognised.

Helen Daggett's voluntary role as administrator of the Freebies Teesside (& Surrounding Areas) has led to her being named as the latest Boro Hero by Middlesbrough Mayor Andy Preston.

Now in its sixth year, the site offers local people the opportunity to "freecycle" - give away - their unwanted goods to both reduce the growing landfill problem and to support struggling families and individuals.

However in the last 12 months the group has stepped up to the plate in the coronavirus pandemic to offer help, support and guidance to the most vulnerable in society.

Helen was nominated for a Boro Hero award by a number of people who also pointed to her voluntary work arranging and preparing food hampers and meals for struggling families throughout the year and at Christmas helped create around 200 food and toy hampers for local people.

They highlighted that Helen also helps with the homeless, ensuring they have warm meals at the weekend, warm clothing, sleeping bags, tents, masks and sanitiser amid covid.

Another reason for her nomination was that Helen had also created a sub group to help with school uniforms encouraging local families to donate their old uniforms to others and also to help with the school proms with members donating dresses, suits, shoes, make-up and other items.

One nominee wrote of Helen: "Helen will always say she can't do this without the group and her admin team, but without the work she puts in daily, especially in the run up to Christmas the group and admin team couldn't do it without her.

"Helen, is an amazing lady with a heart of gold, helping the struggling families in the area daily over the years not just during the pandemic."

True to form Helen said: "I don't like a fuss but I do love the fact that Freebies Teesside (& surrounding communities) is being recognised for the amazing group that it is and for everything we achieve by working hard together on a daily basis.

"Witnessing members bending over backwards to come together and offer help to each other through hard times and struggles, even though they have never met before, is so heart-warming and I am so proud to be a part of such an amazing group."

Middlesbrough Mayor Andy Preston said: "Helen Daggett and Freebies Teesside is Middlesbrough at its best - looking after each other. Brilliant work by everyone involved."

ENDS

Press Notice 6464. 23/04/21

Issued by Andrew Pain, Senior Communications Officer on 01642 729503.

www.middlesbrough.gov.uk

Follow Middlesbrough Council on Twitter: @MbroCouncil

NOTES TO EDITORS

Picture caption

Pn6464 Helen Daggett - Middlesbrough Mayor Andy Preston hands over a Boro Hero award to Helen Daggett from the Freebies Teesside Facebook group.