TWO local groups which have made a huge difference to the community during the Covid-19 pandemic have been presented with awards from North Berwick Rotary Club.

The club presented its first Rotary Community Service Award to North Berwick Community Centre and its manager Katie Nevans, who set up an initiative to help families struggling with the financial impact of the transition to Universal Credit.

As the need for the service reduced, the coronavirus crisis arrived, throwing up a continued need for support to struggling families.

With the help of North Berwick Trust, the Scottish Food Fund and East Lothian FareShare, essential food and other domestic supplies were organised by Katie and a team of five volunteers.

The group has supported 75 families and 40 individuals, providing them with frozen meals and lunch packs.

It also provided assistance to the elderly, those who were shielding, the disadvantaged, disabled, unemployed and those in poor mental health.

Although demand for the service is reducing, given the current economic outlook, Katie is aware it could increase again, so provisions have been stockpiled in anticipation.

A Rotary Community Service Award also went to North Berwick Day Centre and manager Carol Wicker.

The centre is currently closed to members but Carol and her team of staff and volunteers ensured it remained fully operational during the pandemic.

Staff have been operating in three teams of three, in a “bubble” mode.

Additionally, six volunteers, all operating from home, provide a telephone support service to day centre members.

Currently, four trips are being undertaken by the day centre’s coach driver every day to deliver meals, provide transport to members and allow housebound members to enjoy a trip out.

The journeys are passenger number limited as they can only be offered under full coronavirus guidelines.

Alex Crawford, president of North Berwick Rotary Club, said: “A lot of people do not know of the initiatives and sterling work of certain members of our community, which have made such positive differences to people finding themselves in need of help and support during Covid-19.

“It is wonderful to see that, just like Rotary members, there are people willing to invest some of their precious time in helping others.

“The work that Katie Nevans and her five volunteers have done is amazing.

“Carol Wicker has been able to adapt the North Berwick Day Centre role to continue to deliver, with the help of her staff and six volunteers, ongoing support and care to its members during these challenging times.

“On behalf of the Rotary Club, it has given me great pleasure to recognise everything they have done by presenting them with Rotary Community Service Awards.”