A COMMUNITY initiative providing free hot meals to vulnerable Cardross residents has been nominated for a national award.

‘Operation Steak Pie’, which has been running for eight weeks, was set up by staff at The Cardross Inn and volunteers involved with the Cardross Cares group, in response to the coronavirus crisis.

The friendly scheme has saw more than 400 meals handed out to elderly people in the village and those who are shielding, while over £1,000 has been donated by the public to help the project.

READ MORE: 'Operation Steak Pie' set up to help those in need in Cardross during pandemic

David Davidson, landlord of The Cardross Inn, said he was “surprised and delighted” to find out the initiative had been nominated for the Best Community Involvement WeDO Business Award, alongside the ‘Colour Me Inn’ project which encouraged local children to create colourful designs which adorned the windows of the pub during lockdown.

David said: "We're really excited to be nominated, it would mean a lot to win the award. It's good for a wee place in Cardross to get recognition.

"We are just trying to keep the pub at the forefront of people's minds as we prepare to re-open, which we are hoping will be on July 15.

"It will be good to see a wee bit of life in and around Cardross and Helensburgh again, we've just got to make sure we do it safely for our customers and staff."

In an update posted on The Cardross Inn's Facebook page on Monday night, David said the "time was right" to bring the scheme to an end.

The post read: "We have loved every minute of it!

"Now, we think, is the right time to bring Operation Steak Pie to a close as demand seems to have come to a natural end as we ease out of lockdown.

READ MORE: Thousands contact Argyll and Bute's coronavirus help service

"Huge thanks to every one of you who nominated someone and kindly donated to the GoFundMe page. Thanks also to everyone at Cardross Cares for helping us bring this idea to fruition. Also a massive shout out to our superstar delivery man Scott Bryson. Thanks Scott. Your weekly updates and regular feedback was of invaluable help.

"Finally to our Head Chef Paul Bonomi and his team, thanks to you all for giving up your time to create such wonderful food.

"Operation Steak Pie really has been a pleasure from start to finish. It was a joy to receive so many lovely cards, notes and messages of thanks from so many recipients. It really did bring tears to our eyes when Kate and I read them. Thank you all."

Visit wedoscotland.com to vote for The Cardross Inn: voting closes at 12 noon on Monday, July 6.

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