Feb 2008 <<back to archive list

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Maghull High School Cook wins Coeliac UK Charity Award!

Carol Jones, head of the catering team at Maghull High School was presented with a community supporter award by national charity, Coeliac UK, in recognition of the service and support she gave to school pupil, Michael Hessom (age 16), who suffers from coeliac disease.

Coeliac disease is an autoimmune condition caused by an intolerance to gluten, a protein found in wheat and other grains. The only treatment for coeliac disease is sticking to a strict life-long gluten-free diet.

Sponsors of the award, gluten-free food manufacturers Juvela, hosted a special gluten-free lunch at their new offices in Liverpool. The award was presented to Carol by Jeannie Woodbridge, Group Organiser of the Liverpool Coeliac Group, and Anna Marsden, Juvela’s home economist.

Carol was nominated for her award by Michael’s mum Valerie Hessom. “Carol went out of her way to provide gluten-free lunches at my son’s school. She cooked gluten-free pizzas and cakes and even shopped for gluten-free food in her own time. She didn’t single Michael out from his school friends and her attitude made a real difference to him.” Says Valerie.

“I was surprised and delighted to have been honoured with this award.” said Carol. “When Valerie spoke to me about Michael I just wanted to help and to make him feel included. We have 1,300 pupils at the school and cook around 600 lunches per day. Talking with Valerie I realised how important it was to prepare Michael’s food separately so that it would not be contaminated by any gluten. ”

“Our volunteers and supporters are the bedrock of the Charity,” says Liverpool Coeliac UK Group Organiser, Jeannie Woodbridge. “We are so pleased that more and more people involved in food service, like Carol, are responding to our members needs. We can provide lots of helpful guidance on how to safely prepare gluten-free food.”

Sarah Sleet, CEO at Coeliac UK says: “We would like to congratulate Carol for making such an effort in providing gluten-free food at Maghull High School. Eating out, whether in school, hospital or in restaurants is a challenge for people with coeliac disease.”

Anna Marsden, from Juvela, was delighted by the tremendous response this years awards received. “We wanted to be part of celebrating those special people in the coeliac community who have gone that extra step to help someone along their coeliac journey. We often meet these amazing people at the Roadshows we hold up and down the Country and so it was lovely to be part of recognising such a worthwhile cause.”