A ROTARIAN from Bournemouth has been honoured by Rotary International with a Champions of Change Award.

Part of Rotary’s annual Champions Awards, Champions of Change recognises unsung heroes whose volunteering efforts have had a huge impact on people’s lives.

Greg, who is a member of the Rotary Club of Westbourne, received his award during a virtual ceremony alongside 11 other recipients, as well as last year’s winners whose ceremony was postponed due to Covid-19.

At his own club’s last meeting in the Rotary year, president Lynne Abad commended Greg for his hard work in helping to provide meals for those less fortunate during the pandemic.

She said: “When the coronavirus pandemic first led to lockdown, Westbourne Rotary was supporting the homeless who were being brought off the streets and housed in temporary hotel accommodation.

"With the club having access to food supplies and Greg’s home being a registered kitchen, he started cooking hot meals that could be prepared cheaply and delivered to the homeless in the hotel.

“It started with 15 meals a day, but it soon became obvious other sections of society also needed help

" Greg teamed up with Unity in Vision to support black and minority ethnic families and asylum seekers who were struggling, quickly followed by referrals from other local agencies.”

As demands grew, the project became too big for Greg’s kitchen, so the operation was moved to Boscombe & Southbourne Housing Association, with Greg and his wife Pam, and a team of volunteers, then cooking and delivering 60 hot meals a day and weekend food parcels.

Since April 2020, the meals he and his team have cooked and delivered rose to over 15,000.

The search for this year’s winners was carried out across Rotary’s vibrant network of over 1,700 Rotary clubs, with Rotary members and also members of the public having their extraordinary work recognised.

This ranged from feeding disadvantaged people during the Covid-19 pandemic to knitting teddies for children in emergency care.

President of Rotary International Tom Griffin said: “What an extraordinary and sustained effort by Greg and his team of volunteers, a selfless act that is still continuing to this day.

“When help was needed, he had no hesitation in using his own home to bring sustenance and comfort to others.

“His story is heart-warming and I offer him and his helpers heartfelt congratulations on their richly deserved award.”