Rothwell woman named in New Year Honour's List for work as a Morrison's community champion

Pamela Abbott, from Rothwell, has been awarded a BEM for services to Community Engagement in Wakefield during the Covid-19 response.

She made herself permanently available answering calls and messages in the evening and days off to ensure vulnerable people would not be left without the essentials.

Even following an alert of a positive Covid case from a charity she worked with, she continued to work in isolation, organising donations for her return and using the time to make contact with groups to understand their needs.

She also made sure that fresh food and essentials continued to make their way to local foodbanks, youth groups and animal shelters when donations from regular sources were running low.

Mrs Abbott, aged 55, is based at the Morrisons distribution centre in Wakefield and relies on

the warehouse team to help her support the community.

She said: “The first I knew I got an email from the Home Office, I thought somebody was having a laugh. Morrison’s employs quite a lot of people, we have 500 stores and 18 distribution sites. I am one of thousands and for the business to pick me to have that accolade, I feel really proud. I am Morrison’s through and through and I love what I do.

“It is quite an honour and I get butterflies at the thought of being awarded a medal.”

Mrs Abbott’s work takes her to care homes, football teams and the homes of people that are struggling to put food on the table.

She added: “It is busy but rewarding. When you go to families that don’t have anything you are apprehensive but come away with a smile knowing that you have helped people.”

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