CHRISTCHURCH based charity The Water Lily Project has received two prestigious awards from the High Sheriff of Dorset, Michael Dooley.

Acting Chair of Trustees Sue Daly received the first award which recognises all the incredible work the charity has done in enhancing the life of the community.

This includes providing over 100 meals for the homeless, as well as running an innovative Chatterbox initiative to bring the elderly and the very young together for companionship.

Project manager Liz Carter, who has spearheaded the work of Water Lily since 2017, also received a personal award for her significant contribution to supporting the community and women suffering from domestic abuse, financial and mental health issues.

Bournemouth Echo: Liz Carter, Project Manager for The Water Lily Project

On receiving the awards, Liz said: “I am so overwhelmed and delighted. “These awards are a wonderful acknowledgement of all the hard work we do.

“Our charity takes its name from a plant that is beautiful on top and extremely strong beneath. These awards prove we live up to our name.”

The charity was also key in providing help to those isolated during Covid or at risk from domestic abuse during lockdown.

This included running support sessions online, providing Companion Calls, delivering food parcels and activity packs to relieve anxiety.

Liz added: “The work of our charity would be impossible without the whole team - a few staff and many volunteers working together to support our beneficiaries and those in the community who visit the cafe.

“Many worked tirelessly through Covid as we saw demand for our services increase by a staggering 80 per cent.

“The WLP team all play such a fantastic part in maintaining support for those most in need.”