A CHARITY founder nominated for one of our Pride of Gwent Awards has said she is humbled by the sentiment.

Claire Day started Street Life Sarnies (SLS) in 2014 after helping hand out sandwiches with a scheme in Bristol.

She said: “The hunger was phenomenal and there wasn’t enough for everyone who came.

“You would see people who hadn’t eaten for days.

“I put a message out on Facebook asking friends for help, and I was able to fill a people carrier full of sandwiches.”

Based in Chepstow, Community Hero Award nominee Mrs Day, her two children and husband, started SLS from their family home in Undy.

The project soon grew from 10 members to over 400 members, and currently has 3,00 volunteers.

There are two main hubs, in Chepstow and Bristol, and these supply food, clothing and resources to a range of organisations.

“Most of the people we help are the ones don’t have a profile, and in some cases SLS are the only people who help them,” added Mrs Day.

“We support existing hostels and independent volunteer outreach teams who are often the volunteers that nobody knows about.”

During the Christmas period the group collected shoeboxes packed with essentials. Easter is the next busiest time of year for SLS as they appeal Easter Eggs to hand out to the homeless.

As well as running SLS, Mrs Day works as a teaching assistant. She says that balancing everything can sometimes be a struggle.

“At times it’s really overwhelming, especially at Christmas,” she added. “But we do it because we have an amazing team and people will put themselves out.”

Find out more about Street Life Sarnies via their Facebook group or webpage, streetlifesarnies.org

There are only a few days left for you to send your nominations for the Pride of Gwent Awards, which contain the following categories:

  • 999 hero Award
  • Charity Champion Award
  • Life Saver Award
  • Special Recognition Award
  • Community Hero Award
  • Courage Award Award
  • Achiever Award
  • Good Samaritan Award
  • Volunteer Award
  • Carer Award
  • Local Hero Award
  • Environment Award
  • Lifetime Achievement Award

To nominate someone for an award fill in the form here. 

The closing date for nominations is January 27. with a judging panel picking winners in February followed by a ceremony in March at the Coldra Court Hotel by Celtic Manor.

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