Lyn Pugh, a longstanding and well-loved employee at Morrisons in Nailsworth, has taken her job title of Community Champion to a whole new level, writes Megan Delaney.
Lyn said: “When I first became Community Champion eight years ago the role involved giving raffle prizes and working on community projects.
“We used to invite children to come and see how a supermarket works. They even had a go on the tills, which they loved.”
During the pandemic the role developed, and she has been helping put together food parcels which are bought by customers and donated to the Arkell Community Centre in Forest Green and All Pulling Together in Stonehouse. The food is then distributed to vulnerable people: “We wouldn’t have been able to do any of this without our amazing customers who have bought the food parcels, so we would like to say a big thank you to them,” said Lyn.
Doorstep delivery is another Covid-related service that Lyn has been heavily involved in. She has been a big part of helping vulnerable members of the community access food and has also been enthusiastically helping with ‘random acts of kindness,’ where customers are given little gifts to brighten up their days.
She emphasised: “I have had a fantastic time being a community champion. I have supported so many people and will continue to help.”
Lyn has worked in the canteen at Morrisons for 15 years. One of the community efforts that stood out was at Easter when Lyn delivered Easter eggs to care homes and houses that had rainbows in the window, helping boost community morale during difficult times.
The community champion role is also central in raising money for charities, such as CLIC Sargent, with raffles and cake sales. Lyn’s colleague, Matthew Dudley praised her efforts: “Lyn has contributed in a big way to the community. She is always looking out for everyone and is always an ear to chew on when you need her!”
