Liam Welham has reflected on being awarded the Martin Merrikin Clubman Award, sponsored by Drapers, at last night’s virtual Hull FC Player of the Year Awards, in assocation with CCT Infotech.
The club’s Community Engagement Officer received the award for his outstanding contributions to the local community throughout 2020, and particularly for his work creating and delivering food parcels throughout the first national lockdown.
Despite having to be placed on furlough like many members of staff across the club in March, Welham, who currently plays for Coventry Bears alongside his work withing the club’s Foundation, took it upon himself to support vulnerable people across North Hull by delivering essentials to those who were unable to leave their homes due to sheilding.
Welham helped hundreds of families with thousands of deliveries across the city throughout the first lockdown with his daily drop-offs, using the power of social media to locate those in need.
Aside from his food parcel deliveries, Welham, as he does every year, continued to take part in several charity fundraising challenges.
In previous years, he has taken on challenges including marathons, bike rides, and boxing matches, including last year’s cycle to every English Super League stadium on their way to the Challenge Cup Final at Wembley, raising funds for the Hull FC Community Foundation.
2020 hasn’t stopped him, partaking in a hike from Newcastle to Hull to raise money for the victims of a house fire in his local area, a bike ride from Hull to Coventry for the Coventry Community Team, and a wheelchair marathon across East Yorkshire too.
Speaking to hullfc.com, Welham said: “Firstly, I would like to thank the personnel who have taken their time and considered me for this award.
“With the general running of the club massively effected by the global pandemic, I’m honoured that they have taken the time out of their schedule to present me with the Clubman Award.
Explaining how his food parcel delivery idea came about, he added: “During my time furloughed, I felt like I was not earning my keep and my wage. This, alongside boredom, had my manic brain going into overtime.
“Being a person who struggles keeping still, I made a dew calls and emails, and set up a food provision which had me collecting food every day, creating food parcels, and delivering them to the people who were in need in my local area.
“The demand grew stronger due to Covid, and this soon became a full-time volunteering job role within my community.”
He continued: “With the club’s support, I used our brand to spread the word and highlight that help was needed to keep the provision going. The badge, alongside some media assistance, helped massively. Myself and my family were creating 50 to 70 parcels a day.
“Like CEO James Clark said upon presenting me with the award, I don’t do these charitable things for any recognition. I do them to help the people in need.
“I want to thank Hull FC for supporting me and I’m humbled and honored to be recognised for this award.”
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