VOLUNTEERS who helped ensure hot meals were delivered to vulnerable people during the height of the pandemic have seen their efforts praised.

Mel Milaap Community Centre mobilised to arrange that hot vegetarian meals would be delivered three days a week to those who needed them.

The scheme grew to see 300 meals delivered on Mondays, Wednesday and Fridays at its peak thanks to the efforts of more than 100 volunteer cooks and drivers.

Anoop Singh Wallia, chairman of Mel Milaap, said: "To date we have served a total of 14,200 hot meals, incorporating a main dish, yoghurt and a dessert.

"I owe a debt of gratitude to all volunteers, over 100 since March, who have given of their time to make this possible, helping those most in need.

"Glasgow has truly come together and harnessed cultural diversity as a strength, serving the vulnerable in a time of crisis."

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Anoop took the decision to close the community centre in March as the pandemic took hold.

But he knew that there was a desire to help make sure those who lacked support were given help.

Meals were delivered across the city thanks to volunteers who responded to an appeal on Facebook.

And a local pharmacy donated PPE to help keep everyone as safe as possible.

Volunteer Shindo Kaur said: "It has been an absolute privilege to be part of such a wonderful team of volunteers helping communities in need."

The volunteers were rewarded at a ceremony at the Gurdwara in Pollokshields with certificates presented by councillor David McDonald.

The Depute Leader of Glasgow City Council said: "During lockdown, I had the chance to deliver some of the meals that were prepared by the volunteers at Mel Milapp to my own constituents in Greater Pollok.

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"The food was obviously very welcome, as well as being nutritious and delicious, but more importantly it reminded people who were isolated that others were thinking of them.

"The sense of solidarity, of care and compassion, is clear in the work of Mel Milapp volunteers and I was honoured to be asked to join them at the Gurdwara to say thank you on behalf of those who they helped and on behalf of everyone in our grateful Glasgow family."