THE ARMY of volunteers who help Keighley people in need have been given a huge thank you.

Organisations that serve the public have highlighted the vital work done without charge by residents of the town and surrounding villages.

Their efforts for charities, the NHS and other public bodies have become even more essential as the coronavirus pandemic goes on relentlessly.

The big hurrah for the hundreds of big-hearted local helpers came as part of national Volunteers’ Week, and was led by Action Point, formerly Keighley Volunteer Centre, which plays a central role in finding volunteers for many local organisations.

Action Point was asked to deliver the Covid Volunteering Programme in Keighley, part of a district-wide Covid Response Programme masterminded by Bradford Council with voluntary and community organisations.

Spokesman Diane Dale said: “Our role has been to recruit, vet, train and brop broker volunteers to support the work of the council’s Keighley Hub and also to broker volunteers to local voluntary sector services.

“We have also been delivering our own Covid response with telephone volunteer befriending schemes for older people and people with mental health issues and learning disabilities - all of which are reliant on volunteers.

“Needless to say it has been an incredibly busy time as Keighley saw over 350 people step up to volunteer, some via Bradford Council’s portal, some via a volunteer recruitment drive by the MP Robbie Moore, whilst others approached us directly asking how they could help.

“Irrespective of the route they have taken, it has been so heartwarming to see individuals selflessley give their time and energy to support vulnerable people, and to come together as an effective workforce driven by collective kindness.”

Diane said Action Point wanted to say thank you to all the volunteers, the “shoppers, coordinators, ward volunteers, befrienders, dog walkers, food bank helpers, leafleters, delivery drivers, care home support volunteers, admin support volunteers, welfare checkers, street artists and entertainers!”

Diane also wanted to thank volunteers still waiting for a role in the Covid Recovery Programme, and the informal volunteers who help neighbours, run errands and check in on the vulnerable.

Diane added: “They might not be registered but their contribution has been invaluable to Keighley residents. They have provided a lifeline for many people and have made the Covid Response Programme more manageable.”

Diane also wanted to mention the existing volunteers who support Action Point’s projects and charity shops throughout the year.

She added: “Now we are slowly emerging out of lockdown people are returning to work and things are changing, but we still have lots of work to do to support vulnerable people across the district.

“People are always welcome to get in touch if they’d like to help out – visit keighleyvc.co.uk or telephone 01535 609506.

Airedale Hospital has also this week thanked its hard-working team of dedicated volunteers for their dedication and time.

This year staff have shared messages of thanks from social media, to ensure volunteers who are at home or shielding know that they are still valued.

The hospital now has more than 350 registered volunteers working in over 30 different areas and roles across the hospital site, including the neonatal unit and the haematology and oncology day unit.

The Friends of Airedale Hospital charity raises funds through its shops, mobile ward trolley service and car boot sales which are all run by volunteers. Proceeds by vital pieces of hospital equipment, and recently have included special cots for the children’s unit. Gurmit Jauhal, Voluntary Services Manager at Airedale NHS Foundation Trust, said: “We are very lucky and blessed to have such a dedicated team of enthusiastic and dedicated volunteers in our hospital. “We will always be extremely thankful for the selfless service and support they give to the hospital, patients and visitors.”

The trust includes a ‘volunteer of the year’ award as part of the annual staff awards, to recognise the importance of their volunteers.

Airedale Hospital also has an army of community volunteers, and staff have themselves raised money during the Covid pandemic.

Lorraine Wass, a healthcare support worker from Airedale Hospital, recently donated £3,000 to the hospital’s community charity after selling rainbow badges to his disputes friends and colleagues.

Lorraine said: “I got the idea for the badges from the pictures that the children were drawing and sending in. At first I just ordered 200 and then the more popular they got I kept ordering 200 at a time. “I was selling them mainly at work but I know one has gone to Australia and people I know, their friends and family have bought them too.

“I picked the Airedale charity because I work on a Covid ward, I just wanted to give something back. I did it because of the staff, for the fantastic job they are doing.”

Jodie Hearnshaw, Reward, Recognition and Fundraising Manager at the foundation trust, said Lorraine’s badges help spread a little sunshine for everyone.

She added: “We’ve been overwhelmed at how far people are going to support our Care for Airedale campaign, and of course our staff; we’ve already received donations of almost £12,000 in just two months. We can’t thank everyone enough.”

Bradford Council also paid tribute to volunteers, including the 2,000 people who quickly responded to a call for community volunteers before the lockdown started.

The council suggested people publicly thank the volunteers with a tweet, Facebook post or short film, with the slogans #CheersForVolunteers and @PeopleCan.

North Yorkshire County Council chairman Cllr Jim Clark praise the county’s 6,000 people registered as volunteers in such areas as countryside services, youth justice, libraries and school governors.

Yorkshire Ambulance Services put the spotlight on invaluable volunteers who helped when demand reached unprecedented levels during the spring, such as Community First Responders and Patient transport service volunteers.

West Yorkshire and Harrogate Health and Care Partnership highlighted the “positive difference” made at every level of society by volunteers.

Across the region volunteers are befrienders, run food banks and community cafes, deliver accessible group activities, or act as charity trustees.