Young couple given local 'community heroes' award for distributing food parcels during pandemic months

Abbi Langdon and boyfriend Rhys Deehan were both furloughed from their jobs earlier this year during the height of the first Covid-19 lockdown.

But the selfless 18-year-olds were evidently unprepared to put up their feet during the lockdown – instead focusing their energies on helping purchase and provide food parcels to vulnerable residents in and around Ms Langdon’s hometown of Houghton.

Since Easter, the pair have organised a series of tombolas and other community fundraisers, using the proceeds to buy stock for the food parcels and deliver the packages to vulnerable people in the surrounding area.

Following the pair’s sustained efforts - which saw them deliver 121 parcels in total to the elderly and families that were shielding - Ms Langdon and Mr Deehan have won the inaugural Houghton Young Heroes award, which has been established by Northumbria Police in partnership with Sunderland City Council.

As part of the scheme, which is designed to reward outstanding individuals in the town, a young persons (or people) will be recognised every month for community-focused efforts, an act of kindness or a special achievement - whether behavioural, academic or otherwise.

Commenting on the award win, Mr Deehan said: “It’s really nice to be recognised in this way, but that’s certainly not why we did it – Abbi and I just wanted to help people in the community during a really difficult time for everyone.

“It all started when we gave the bus driver a box of Maltesers and a thank you card.

"Despite everything that was going on, bus drivers continued to provide a service and we wanted to give something small as a token of thanks.

“He was blown away, to be honest, and from there Abbi and I decided to see how much we could raise in terms of donations from the community and by organising tombolas.

“It was just our small way of trying to make a positive difference – and it was amazing how the whole community got behind it.”

Police Community Support Officer (PCSO) Daniel Hawksby recently set up the Houghton Young Heroes award initiative to reward young people for community-orientated work.

The couple were presented with their medals outside Houghton Police Station, after a member of the public nominated them for their efforts.

“They should be really proud of themselves,” PCSO Hawksby said. “They showed incredible kindness towards others at a time when the whole country was struggling and they themselves had been furloughed.

“We were all filled with pride how our communities pulled together and looked out for our most vulnerable earlier this year, showcasing the spirit that this region is famed for.

“I’d like to thank Abbi and Rhys who are deserving winners of the first Houghton Young Heroes award, and would encourage anyone else who thinks they know somebody who should be considered to get in touch.”

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