Belfast volunteer receives award for providing the vulnerable with surplus food

By Q Radio News

A Belfast man who has been providing over 4,000 people in the city with fresh, surplus produce rescued from supermarkets since the start of the pandemic, and is providing over 300 Christmas dinners to vulnerable people, has received Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s daily Points of Light award.

Edmund Aruofor, aged 60, originally from London, moved with his family to Belfast in 2015 to serve as missionaries among the local community, and set up 'LifeHub NI' in 2017 as a way of supporting vulnerable people in the city gain access to healthy food.

LifeHub NI

Edmund runs the project entirely through volunteers, and drives over 14,000 miles a year to collect surplus food from supermarkets and suppliers across Northern Ireland which otherwise would go to waste.

This year, in response to the pandemic, the hub's work has greatly increased, with volunteers distributing over 400 food parcels a week to people who have been self-isolating. The hub has now moved into larger premises at Townsend Enterprise Park in order to carry out its operations, with Edmund waking every morning at 4.30am to carry out deliveries and collect supplies of food.

In a personal letter to Edmund, Prime Minister Boris Johnson said:

"Christmas Day will be different this year and so it is particularly special that you and your team of volunteers will spend today serving up hundreds of meals to those in need.

"I know you do this with no thought of recognition but let me thank you for the extraordinary way in which you have responded to this pandemic, bringing food, Christmas gifts and some much needed joy to those you help.

"The Christmas story is one of hope and renewal and you bring that hope to the people of Belfast with the care and compassion you have shown this year."

Some of the food collected by Edmund and his fellow volunteers.

Reacting to the Prime Minister’s announcement, Edmund said:

"Not only has this taken me by surprise, I had no expectation of recognition. But in saying that, I am grateful that you have chosen us. THANK YOU for the recognition for something we do, because we see it is needed."

Edmund is the 1559th person to receive the Prime Minister’s UK daily Points of Light award, which was first launched in April 2014 to recognise outstanding individuals making a difference where they live.