AN Island charity which delivers hot meals to people who are often elderly, lonely or disabled has been awarded £1,000 by a Channel Island Co-operative colleague.

Sergio Marcelino, manager of En Route in both St Mary and St Peter, has been a dedicated Meals on Wheels volunteer for six years. Mr Marcelino was presented with £1,000 by the Society after winning the Society’s Ambassador of the Year Award.

The Islander received the award at the annual Co-op Training and Recognition Awards for his commitment to the charity. The annual event celebrates the Society’s teams and individuals and their contribution to the local community.

Hilary Grant, chairman of Meals on Wheels, said the money will be put towards the general running cost of the charity, which has been operating in Jersey since 1962 and delivers between 80 and 90 meals a day four days a week. All the food is cooked at Jersey General Hospital by hospital staff and is then bought at cost by Meals on Wheels.

Mrs Grant, who has been involved with the charity for 35 years, said: ‘I am really touched that the Co-op have decided to give us a donation ­– that was very moving.

‘I can remember taking Sergio out on his first round and I knew from that day he was going to be fine. Most of us who volunteer either have a part time job or have retired from work. I admire people who can juggle delivering for us with their full-time job.’

Last year Mr Marcelino delivered 435 meals in his own time, often covering 17 miles of the Island on each delivery. He uses his own car to make his deliveries, covering the cost of his travel as well as offering to undertake extra shifts to cover volunteer shortages and holidays.