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4 The Shuttle DECEMBER2012BOROUGHSHORTSCouncillors giveto FoodbankBy Shuttle staffBlackburn with Darwen Councillorsraised more than £117 and donateddozens of items of food to help thosestruggling to feed their families inthe borough.Councillors and chief officers organiseda collection for Blackburn Foodbankbefore November’s Council Forum.The Foodbank provides parcels of‘non-perishables’ – things like tinnedvegetables, dried pasta and long-life milk– to those who need it the most.A cheque and boxes of food werehanded over by the Mayor, CouncillorZamir Khan, to Ros Duerden.COLLECTIONCouncillor Khan said: “I was very pleasedto be able to hand over a large amount offood and a cheque to the organisation.“There was cross party support forthis collection and I just want to thankall members and chief officers who donated.”People who may need to go to thefoodbank are identified through care professionalssuch as social workers, healthworkers and voluntary workers and aregiven vouchers. Residents are givenenough food for three days.Blackburn Food bank is backed bythe Trussell Trust, which runs a networkof food banks across the UK.AWARDYour Call winsaccoladeBy Shuttle staffBlackburn with Darwen residentswho have been taking action tomake a real difference in their communitieshave been recognised by anational award.The Council’s Your Call campaignhas been named Community Initiative ofthe Year at the UK Public Sector Awards.Your Call is aimed at residents whowant to play a bigger part in their localcommunities.The Council is celebrating and encouragingpeople who are making a differencein their communities, helpinggroups by giving them equipment andsupport to organised their own events.Thousands of volunteers have contactedthe Council with ideas on howthey can improve their neighbourhoodsand we have supported them to enablethem to do it.Council leader Kate Hollern said: “Itis fantastic that the work of our residentshas been recognised.”To get involved in Your Call, call(01254) 588188 or email yourcall@blackburn.gov.ukRETIRED POLICE CHIEFINSPECTOR’S LIFELINE TOHOUSEBOUND RESIDENTSTom at Mary’s homeBy Faye AdamsA retired chief inspector walks adifferent beat these days providinga ‘life-line’ to people who arehousebound.Great grandfather, Tom Clark, is avolunteer for the Blackburn with DarwenCouncil’s Home Library Service that deliverslibrary books to people’s homes.He is one of several people who providethe vital service to those who cannotget to the library through illness orinfirmity.FRIENDLYResidents receive fortnightly visits andcan order up to ten books or talkingbooks at a time.For those on his round, Tom is afriendly face who not only brings themsomething to read but is also happy tostop and have a chat.He said: “A big part of the job is justkeeping that contact with people as themajority of our clients live on their own.Quite often you end up having a chatwith people and books are sometimesthe last thing we talk about.”MEMORIESTom has been volunteering for the servicefor over 11 years.“It’s very worthwhile and it gives mea lot of pleasure especially chatting topeople brings back a lot of memories.”Mary Fletcher, from Brownhill, hasbeen a regular user of the service foraround four years.“If you can’t get out, if your mobilityis very bad and you’re a great reader,it’s a life-line,” she said. “Any books youlike, that you’ve seen in the paper in anyreviews, if you ring and let Tom know andthey get it in. It’s a really good service.“It’s nice for somebody to come inwhen you're on your own and he's asuch nice gentleman.”Councillor Damian Talbot, ExecutiveMember for Culture, Leisure and YoungPeople, said: “Tom is one of severaldedicated people in the borough whoare providing invaluable help to others.“It goes without saying that we needmore people like Tom, who epitomisesthe spirit of the Your Call campaign.”The service is currently looking fornew volunteers. If you have some sparetime and access to a vehicle contactJoyce at Blackburn Library on (01254)661221. Anyone who thinks they wouldbenefit from the service can contact theEquality and Access Team on (01254)587923 or 661221.Winter squads ready - page 6