THE founder of Jesus Cares has won an award for her dedication to the programme which supplies hampers to those in need in the community.

Faye Edwards, 35, co-ordinator of Jesus Cares, has been awarded a Point of Light award by the Prime Minister David Cameron. The award is to recognise outstanding individual volunteers and people who are making a change in their community.

It has been developed in partnership with the Points of Light programme in America, which was established by President George H W Bush, and has since recognised over 5,000 for their volunteer work.

The Argus-backed programme is based at Kings Church in Newport and is backed by the Big Lottery Fund.

The programme started in 2009 and now has more than 100 volunteers who have produced 4,000 hampers this year.

She said: “It’s a huge honour to receive it. I was completely surprised I had no idea about it until the cabinet office got in contact.

“I received a letter from David Cameron which thanked me for my work and for aspiring others. I was quite overwhelmed.”

She added: “The success of Jesus Cares is not down to one individual, it’s the hard work of the volunteers. We don’t only provide hampers during Christmas time but all year round.” To volunteer call 01633 244453.