Bridgwater resident awarded for being a 'community hero' by Mecca Bingo

Kate Gardiner, from the Purplespoon Cafe, was selected as one of Mecca Bingo's community heroes.

She was nominated by Danielle Hope and will be given a £500 donation of ingredients.

The Purplespoon Café has been providing free hot and cold meals to those who have needed them during the pandemic.

The café also puts together food and toiletry parcels for rough sleepers since it opened four years ago, so Mecca’s donation will allow Kate to continue this work.

Kate said she was "shocked" and "honoured" to be acknowledged.

"The café is such a labour of love, and the £500 donation will do wonders for the people that we help each day," she said.

"I want to thank Danielle for nominating me, it’s fantastic to know that this venture has caught the eyes of friends in the community.”

The team at Mecca Bridgwater has invited Kate and her team for a night of bingo and drinks when they reopen as an extra reward.

Holly Cattell, general manager at Mecca Bridgwater, said: “Mecca will always be a huge part of local communities across the UK, - we’ve been on the high street for 60 years.

"Through this campaign we wanted to reward individuals who play an active role to help others in need in their areas.

"Kate is such a worthy hero to us, so we’re thrilled that with our support she will be able to continue her community spirit going forwards.”

Mecca has been asking UK residents to nominate heroes from their communities who have gone above and beyond over the past 12 months, to offer services and help to those around them.

To read about all of those crowned community heroes, visit blog.meccabingo.com.