Prestigious Mayoral Award for Westholme School

Westholme School has been presented with an award from the Mayor for its work with catering supplier Thomas Franks feeding the vulnerable within Blackburn with Darwen and providing PPE equipment to the community.

The award was presented to Westholme School in appreciation and recognition of the outstanding contribution made to Blackburn with Darwen, supplying food and essentials to the community at a time of crisis.

The Mayor of Blackburn, Councillor Jim Shorrock, said: “I have awarded a Mayoral Award certificate for services to the community at the time of crisis. Congratulations.”

Westholme’s Catering team cooked 1,000 meals for the most vulnerable as part of the ‘Big Feed’ recently. The initiative, launched by Thomas Franks, saw the company distribute 10,000 meals in a single day across the UK.

The school has also been 3D printing hundreds of face shields in collaboration with Broughton High School and St Cecilia’s to ensure frontline staff have visors to protect themselves when treating patients. Boxes of goggles, gloves and cleaning supplies have also been distributed to those who need them in the community.

The certificate was presented to Principal Lynne Horner and students on today by the Mayor while socially distancing.

Mrs Horner said: “This is a wonderful, kind initiative which we are delighted to be part of. It’s more important than ever right now to serve our communities – by working together we can achieve very special things. Blackburn with Darwen Council has been tremendous in connecting us to those most in need and we are delighted to have made a real difference.”

Thomas Franks were also presented with an award for the initiative during the Covid-19 crisis.