THE Peeblesshire Foodbank’s longest-serving volunteer is celebrating 10 years of helping out at the vital facility.

Eileen Fletcher has provided around 77,000 meals to those in need across the region during her decade of service.

The food bank was started by the Reverend Jim Benton Evans, where Eileen began volunteering in October 2014.

She said: “I really enjoy my food bank volunteering, knowing I am able to help all sorts of people across Peeblesshire.

“I also enjoy the social aspect of volunteering – we all enjoy the chats during our coffee breaks, and it’s lovely to meet other people from across the community.

“I spent my last birthday sorting 350 tins of soup, and I wouldn’t have it any other way.”

Eileen has seen a lot of change since 2014 as food bank demand has grown massively.

One-hundred-and-sixty individuals were helped in the first year of operation, compared to this year’s figure of 1,700.

A retired teacher, Eileen is a dedicated volunteer, helping in the warehouse with dating, sorting, stacking and packing the boxes containing three days of nutritionally balanced food.

She also helps with the summer lunch scheme, and is a familiar face at the supermarket collections.

Eileen is part of a group of ladies who knit hats, scarves and blankets for Peeblesshire Foodbank clients, and last year she even sorted some Christmas decorations for those who had none.

And it’s not just the food bank which benefits from the Peeblesshire stalwart’s service – she helps at Halyrude Primary School every week and volunteers at the British Red Cross shop too.

Fiona Dalgleish, manager of the food bank, said: “As our longest-serving volunteer, Eileen has been a huge asset for the foodbank.

“We calculated that she’s been involved in providing 77,000 meals in her 10-year stint.

“Eileen just radiates kindness, and we are so delighted she is part of the team. Thanks to Eileen and those like her, we are able to deliver our service and we are so grateful for her time and energy.”

The Peeblesshire Foodbank provides emergency food for people in crisis.

Contact 01721 588654 or go to www.peeblesshire.foodbank.org.uk for more information.