Banbury Mosque receives Unsung Hero award for service to community during the COVID-19 pandemic

Victoria Prentis, member of Parliament for North Oxfordshire, said the following in a letter received by mosque today: "Thanks to your hard work and dedication you have helped make the lockdown period a little easier for so many.

"We owe an enormous debt of gratitude to all those who like you, have worked so hard to support their local community.

"In recent weeks, I asked my constituents to nominate their 'Unsung Hero' of the coronavirus outbreak. Thanks to all you have done for the residents of Banbury by providing boxed food for those in need and continuing to support your community virtually throughout Ramadan, you received a nomination."

Volunteers with the Banbury Mosque and the community fridge have delivered several thousand isolation food packs to vulnerable people in the community during the coronavirus pandemic.

Organisers of the service from the Banbury Mosque arranged food and isolation pack deliveries for people in self-isolation who are vulnerable and or over the age of 65.

Abu Hassan Hanif, chairman of the Banbury Mosque, said: "The Banbury Madni Mosque team consisted of 48 volunteers who participated in delivering and preparing the food parcels. Whom are from different faiths and diverse backgrounds, a true example of community spirit serving Banburyshire.

"The Banbury Madni Mosque would like to thank all those who volunteered and helped tirelessly and selflessly to make this happen. You truly are amazing and the real unsung heroes."

The Banbury Mosque was also among several organisations commended with a letter of gratitude from the Oxfordshire representative of the Queen's Office.

Oxfordshire's Lord-Lieutenant, Tim Stevenson OBE, wrote a letter to officials at the Banbury Mosque thanking them for their efforts to the help and serve the community during the Covid-19 pandemic.