The team at Andy’s Mini Market in Ballasalla have been recognised for going out of their way to help people in the community.
Andy Johnston and his dedicated staff have been nominated in the Community Champion category of Isle of Man Newspapers’ Pride in Mann Awards by Douglas resident Julie Sowerby.
Julie said the team are a ‘godsend’ for her 94-year-old grandmother Mona Corkish. ‘My gran has been housebound for a number of years now. Unfortunately there are no family members living nearby to help her with shopping on a regular basis.
‘One of the reasons she has been able to continue to live independently at the age of 94 is because of the help she gets from Andy Johnston and his amazing staff.
‘When she was more mobile one of the staff would come to her house to walk her down to the shop for her bits and pieces and walk her back afterwards. Now this is no longer possible she is able to phone down to the shop with her order and it is then delivered to her by Andy or one of his staff.
‘They are all very patient and helpful and no charge is made for this delivery service. It really helps to take the pressure of out family knowing that she should never run short of anything.
‘I am quite sure that my gran is not the only person that Andy and his team help and I do feel they are a very strong example of being a community champion.’
Andy opened the store in Clagh Vane, Ballasalla, in 1989. Previously he had a similar business in Leeds.
He said the part him and his staff enjoy most is working with the public and helping the community by delivering shopping to residents who need help: ‘If anybody needs us they just give us a ring.’
Andy said it was ‘lovely gesture’ that himself and his team have been nominated in the Community Champion category of the Pride in Mann Awards.
Pride in Mann is an awards scheme which aims to recognise extraordinary people and organisations in the Manx community.
Nominations for the awards are now closed.