An NHS volunteer who worked flat out to support those in need during the coronavirus crisis has turned her attention to delivering free school meals.

Reshmi Kalam was recently awarded an honorary British Empire Medal in recognition of her services to the Maidstone community during Covid-19.

At the outset of the pandemic she started sending free hot cross buns to the elderly and vulnerable – but soon realised the number of people who needed help was far greater.

She later signed up to be an NHS volunteer and set up the Covid-19 Mutual Aid Maidstone Facebook group, so she could coordinate help with others.

Reshmi said: "I started the Facebook Group initially to help people get free hot-cross buns as it was around Easter time.

"I also delivered free pizzas and PPE to hospitals and NHS workers."

Her latest project, which she began in January, is aimed at helping provide school children and their families with packed lunches for school.

She said: "I saw a post in the Observer where a boy was pretending to eat out of his lunchbox at school because his parents couldn't send him to school with anything."

Reshmi initially started by buying food with her own money but since reaching out to charities and food banks in the area she has been gaining more help.

She added: "A lot has been damaged over Covid times so I want to push my initiative and try and get more volunteers to help us with this.

"I'm sure those in authority can do a lot more so I want to voice these concerns and make this a topic worth discussing."

In 2020, Reshmi was awarded a Compassionate Community Award by Maidstone council and Heart of Kent Hospice in recognition of her help.

Her continued efforts have since seen her awarded an honorary British Empire Medal in December, an award recognising ;ocal volunteers who make a real difference to their communities.

"I was elated after hearing the confirmation of the award by her late Majesty the Queen," she said.

"But at the same time I felt a sense of responsibility to continue my service for my community.

"The award conferred to me also entails my work has made a huge difference to the community in need in the past and my work doesn't stop here."

She added: "When I started, I saw that I could help people.I've always been like this. I couldn't go to bed when I saw someone struggling.

"I had to go out the next day and help that person."

Reshmi's efforts have helped a variety of people in the community struggling with the effects of the various lockdowns and the cost-of-living crisis.

In 2021 she founded the business Homelearning Maidstone, which helped to provide a free virtual platform for students to learn from home while schools were closed.

She then focussed her efforts on toddlers in February 2022 as she organised play and activity days for children up to the age of five at the Maidstone Islamic Centre, designed to help the parents – irrespective of their culture, background, religious beliefs or gender – find support for themselves and their little ones.

Reshmi is currently pregnant and is due to give birth in the summer.

The volunteer said: "I can't help in the same capacity as I used to but I am still wanting to help.

"I used to take food to the houses of those who needed but now I arrange pickup times with food banks."

Her pregnancy has meant she has not yet been able to attend her medal award ceremony but she is currently in discussion with the Lord Lieutenant for arranging a date after delivering her baby.