VOLUNTEERING groups from Whitchurch and surrounding areas have been thanked for all the work they do at a recent lunch.

A volunteer lunch was held by the Whitchurch Wellbeing Forum and organised by Shropshire Rural Communities Charity (SRCC), the Beechtree Centre and Forum members Whitchurch Foodbank.

The Forum felt it should say thank you to Whitchurch Volunteers, without which the residents of Whitchurch would go without necessary local help and support.

The organisers received a grant form Meres and Mosses Housing Association and a donation from the Beechtree Centre which enabled them to hold the lunch.

Volunteers gathered at Bargates Hall on Friday, October 25 for the lunch, and those who attended were treated to a homemade buffet and soup, which was well received on a miserable autumn day.

During the proceedings thanks were given to all the volunteers in the town by Lisa White from SRCC, who said: "The town would benefit in the future if more people got involved in their communities and volunteering was a great way to do this."

Anna Turner, Her Majesty’s Lord- Lieutenant of Shropshire also spoke about the importance of volunteering and touched upon her own personal experience as a volunteer with Whitchurch Foodbank.

"It is all about thanking all the local volunteers from Whitchurch," said Anna. "There were around 40 people here and we had a wonderful lunch.

"It's a mixture of community organisations. It's a way for the Whitchurch community to say thank you for the dedication of the volunteers."

The occasion ended with a prize giving for the winner of the photo competition, the hamper was rewarded to the Beechtree Volunteers.