The Food Chain win Inspirational Lottery Charity of 2006

At last nights National Lottery Awards The Food Chain won the title for Inspirational Lottery Charity of 2006.

The award, presented by Dame Kelly Holmes and Ade Adepitan recognises the hard work and dedication of people who use Lottery funding to make a real difference to communities across the UK.

Inspiration – The Food Chain

The Inspiration category in the awards – celebrates the most innovative and creative use of Lottery funding.

We were nominated for the funding we received to help develop our volunteers. The Food Chain received more than £125,00 from the Big Lottery Fund and we now have almost 1000 volunteers who devise the recipes and then prepare and deliver the meals providing a much needed service for people across the capital.

Chair of The Food Chain, Martin Dibben, said: “We could not do what we do without the help of Lottery funding and the goodwill of our volunteers, this award help is a real boost for all those involved.”

In a public vote, thousands showed their support for The Food Chain , firstly winning the vote of Londoners, making us London's favourite lottery charity for 2006 and then in the final vote in the inspiration category - making us national winners.

On the night long-time Food Chain volunteer and fundraiser Liza Dresner said: "This really helps to combat the stigma and fear that people with HIV live with. To win a public vote shows that people care."

The Food Chain provides specialist meals, groceries and nutritional advice to men, women and children across London, delivering over 1,000 meals a week and groceries for those in most extreme need. The aim is to ensure that anyone living with the HIV have the ability to get well and stay well by having access to good nutrition. The meals are individually tailored, ensuring that people get nutritionally balanced meals that they will enjoy and eat.

Service users Henry and Cleveland joined Martin and Liza on the night. During the recent volunteers forum Cleveland told Food Chain volunteers that the service they provided was "vital, my poor eyesight means I cannot cook for myself and the hot and delicious meal means a lot to me."

More pictures and details will follow.

Well done everyone.