Aber Falls Names Garry Frost Local Hero Competition Winner after 700 hours of volunteering for Blood Bikes Wales
Garry Frost, 50, from Cwm-y-Glo, near Caernarfon, is the winner of the Aber Falls Local Hero Competition, for his commendable contribution to the local community during the pandemic and completing more than 700 hours of volunteering for Blood Bikes Wales.
Garry Frost, a kitchen and bathroom fitter, was nominated by Mary Hughes, for his tireless work as a volunteer for Blood Bikes Wales during lockdown, working more than 700 hours, to help with supplies and resources for the local community in Cwm-y-Glo, near Caernarfon. Garry’s work included taking milk to milk banks for premature babies through to helping in the preparation of meals for the vulnerable.
Aber Falls Distillery launched the Local Hero Competition to mark the opening of its new Farmer’s Market in Abergwyngregyn. The Farmer’s Market was officially opened, on November 19th, by Garry Frost and Welsh celebrity and TV presenter Sian Lloyd, to hundreds of visitors from the community. At the Aber Falls Farmers Market launch event, Garry Frost had the honour of turning on the anticipated Christmas lights, and was presented with an Aber Falls Deluxe Christmas Hamper, filled with popular food and drink from North Wales and a bevy of spirits from Aber Falls, including its latest Single Malt Welsh Whisky.
James Wright, Managing Director at Aber Falls Whisky Distillery, said: “We wanted to mark our special occasion with a local hero, to celebrate their achievement, and Garry was a unanimous choice as our winner by the judges. Garry’s work for his local community during lockdown certainly saved lives, and he was an essential lifeline for the vulnerable at a time when they really needed it.
“We want to thank Garry for his support of the local community and for officially opening the Aber Falls Farmers Market. Garry certainly made our special event even more memorable.”
Garry Frost wanted to be a Blood Biker for 20 years, since his youngest daughter was born and following complications for both his daughter and wife during her delivery. It was at this time that Garry experienced for himself the amazing work that the NHS do and decided Blood Bikes Wales would be a brilliant charity to volunteer for, thanks to their tremendous effort supporting the NHS.
Garry Frost said: “I am thrilled to be the winner of the Aber Falls Local Hero Competition. I really enjoy being a Blood Bike Volunteer as it has such a personal meaning to me. I nearly lost my wife and youngest daughter Elizabeth due to complications during Elizabeth’s delivery, and I saw the essential work that Blood Bike volunteers do. So, for me, it has been an honour to work with them.
“During lockdown, I also saw the difficulties my community was having, so to be able to help with deliveries and provide support during this time was just something I needed to do. It was especially significant delivering milk for premature babies, as when my eldest daughter Amy, was born 28 years ago, she was 9-weeks premature, and at that time we didn’t have milk banks. Whilst Amy was in hospital I would ride a push bike every day to the hospital, with milk to feed her. I know how essential milk banks are, and to ensure that they had supplies of milk during lockdown was so important to me.”
Close friend Mary who nominated Garry for the Aber Falls Local Hero Award, said: “Garry is an inspiration. During lockdown he would get up before work to shop for the vulnerable people in our community, he would then do his own work as a kitchen and bathroom fitter, and in between he would take on the essential Blood Bike work. Garry never stopped, but I could see how important his work was, and the difference he made to the community.
“When I saw the Aber Falls Local Hero Competition, I wanted to nominate Garry, as to his friends and family, he really is our Local Hero, so we were all thrilled when we heard that he was the winner. We all enjoyed attending the Aber Falls Farmers Market launch event and it was a special moment to see Garry opening the Farmers Market and being presented with his prize.”
To find out more about Blood Bike Wales, or to find out how to become a member, or to donate, visit: www.bloodbikes.wales or www.facebook.com/bloodbikeswales.
The Aber Falls weekly Farmers Market provides local producers with the opportunity to sell their products to the public, from permanent, authentic market stalls. You can find out more about Aber Falls and the Farmers Market by visiting www.aberfallsdistillery.com.