A group of chefs have been cooking and freezing up to 300 meals a day throughout the coronavirus lockdown so the borough's most vulnerable can eat, as they want to "give back to the community."

Thousands of people came forward in March when Greenwich Council, working alongside Charlton Athletic and the GCDA, asked for volunteers to coordinate its community response to Covid-19

A community hub, run by volunteers, was set up to assist those most in need during the pandemic, and the council say that over the last seven weeks they've given away nearly 32,000 hours of voluntary time.

Amongst those who've offered their time to help their community is professional chef Conrad Dsouza.

Dsouza, from Woolwich, approached the Community Hub for volunteering opportunities, and has since been a key member in the team supplying meals to vulnerable residents across the borough.

The team, including Conrad, Connor and Shara, have been cooking and freezing up to 300 meals per day to support those in need, using ingredients donated by Fareshare to create "delicious satisfying meals."

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Mr Dsouza has been volunteering for two days a week, and says that after he was furloughed from his own company, and being healthy himself, he wanted to give back to the community.

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The Woolwich chef said: "I have a much-needed skill that is of benefit to a lot of people in our community right now - especially those who may otherwise struggle to support themselves.

"I have to say, chefs like Shara and Connor who are part of my volunteering team, have made this experience great.

"They have been so supportive and share the same positive attitude for helping our community.

"It's been a wonderful challenge to look at the ingredients we get donated by Fareshare and create meals that are delicious, satisfying and fulfilling for whoever eats them.”

This week marks Volunteers' Week, an annual celebration of the contributions people make through volunteering such as Dsouza's team.

Greenwich Council say that with this year's celebration, is more important to thank the vital volunteers helping all corners of the borough through what is a global crisis.

Marking the week, the Mayor of Greenwich, Cllr Linda Bird paid tribute to everyone in the borough who has volunteered.

"Volunteers make such a significant contribution to our borough, and we would like to say a huge thank you to everyone who is volunteering their time and skills to helping the community at this time.

"Whether you are helping an organisation, you’re a COVID-19 volunteer or you are helping neighbours in your local community, everything you are doing is making a big difference to people’s lives.”

In Greenwich, the Volunteer Centre Greenwich is available to help potential volunteers find suitable opportunities in companies across the borough.

Its cheif executive, Michelle Martin, said the week gives us an opportunity to thank all the volunteers for the time and the difference that they make."