Community Foundation for Calderdale boss says a 'Big Thank You' to volunteers

Steve Duncan DL, CEO of the Community Foundation for Calderdale, has shared his appreciation for all of the wonderful charitable organisations going above and beyond in our region.

He said: “The English language is very rich and we have many different words to describe the same thing, but despite this I have noticed that there is a word missing from the dictionary; we need a word that has a stronger meaning than just ‘thank you’.

“Before the floods and before lock down, the Community Foundation for Calderdale gave out £1million of grants every year and I am continually giving thanks to the organisations we support with funding for the incredible work they do.

“In January we were affected by the floods, and the kindness and generosity people showed was amazing. I was in awe of some of the individuals and businesses that were so badly affected and were managing to get back on their feet again.

“As we went into lockdown, we launched the Community Resilience Fund to top up the money we received from the National Emergencies Trust, and again were so touched by how compassionate people have been, especially so soon after the flood appeal such a short time earlier.

“As CEO of CFFC I am in a privileged position to be privy to how resourceful the third sector has been, they really have acted quickly to pivot innovatively to still provide help to people in need.

“Waves of stories of how people are going above and beyond come in daily, and I will be eternally grateful for the selfless work that has been done.

“If these people had not gone above and beyond, many more lives would have been lost, not because they had contracted Covid-19 as a disease but because people needed food, essentials, compassion and company.

“Words cannot describe how much I truly appreciate all the work people have done, pulling on reserves that were already depleted. But we are from Calderdale and we are strong and kind and we will get through this together, and it will bring our community even closer together.

“From the bottom of my heart, thank you, thank you, thank you.”

Thanks to all the organisations and individuals who supplied photos for this campaign.

The Halifax Courier approached several groups and organisations ... we couldn’t possibly get to everybody, and some were unable at this time to participate, but don’t worry if you or your staff aren’t featured. We’re more than happy to devote more pages in the near future for more Big Thank You pictures. If you’d like to send in photos please email [email protected], including the names of those pictured and what they do, or have done, in the coronavirus effort.