Mayor Presents Hailsham Hero Community Award

Malcolm Richards, founder and trustee of the Hailsham Foodbank project, has been recognised as a “Hailsham hero” for his dedication to local community life and passion to help those in need.

Town Mayor Councillor Nigel Coltman presented Mr Richards with the Hailsham Hero Community Award at the Annual Town Meeting held at the Hailsham Civic Community Hall yesterday evening [20 April].

Mr Richards, aged 64 and a resident of Hailsham for 6 years, was asked by the Crosslink Trust to set up a local Foodbank five years ago, which provides emergency food to people in crisis who are referred to them by the caring agencies. All food is donated by the community.

Mr Richards managed the project until recently when Julie Coates took over the day-to-day running of the Foodbank. He has since joined the Trustees Board and is working to take Hailsham Foodbank forward by seeking opportunities to provide more than food for people in crisis in the town.

Mr Richards was nominated for the Hailsham Hero Community Award by a panel of town councillors and residents and was among a number of equally deserving people nominated.

The award was set up by the Town Council to recognise those people who have achieved great things for the local community, committed a single act of bravery, heroism or selflessness, or has gone above and beyond what is expected of them to make things happen.

Mayor Councillor Nigel Coltman, who sat on the judging panel, said it is important that Hailsham’s “unsung heroes” are able to be acknowledged and given formal recognition. He said: “This award is a fantastic way to commend and celebrate all those individuals who selflessly work throughout the year to help others in the community.”

“It  was good to see so many names put forward for the award and I would like to personally congratulate all who were nominated and, of course, Malcolm Richards, the recipient of this year’s award. Well done!”

On receiving the award, Mr Richards commented: “I’m humbled and privileged to be chosen as the recipient of this year’s Hailsham Hero Award, considering the other individuals whose names were put forward were very worthy recipients of the award too.”

“The real heroes are the Foodbank volunteers who give so much of their time week in week out providing emergency help to around 1,000 people a year. I accept this award on their behalf.”