ONE of the driving forces behind the Steve Prescott Foundation has won a Lockdown Award set up by a national newspaper.

Martin Blondel, general manager of the charity, has been announced as Britain’s Lockdown Community Hero Award by the The Telegraph.

The newspaper launched the awards last month, to celebrate individuals and groups all over Britain who have gone the extra mile to help others during the coronavirus pandemic.

More than 1,500 entries were received, across 11 categories.

After being nominated among a shortlist of four, which went to a public vote, Martin was announced the winner.

According to the newspaper, one of the hardest sections to judge was the 'Community Hero' category, which brings together several people who have gone above and beyond to assist those in need in their local area.

Martin helped set up the Steve Prescott Foundation in 2007 after reaching out to support Steve, the former Saints player, who had been diagnosed with a rare form of abdominal cancer.

In the years that followed, Steve took on a series of immense physical challenges while battling the disease, before passing away in 2013.

Organiser-in-chief for all the challenges was the foundation's general manager Martin.

Following Steve's death, Martin, Steve's widow Linzi, volunteers and trustees have continued the charity's work.

When the coronavirus took hold in the UK and people began to panic buy, Martin was struck by a video of a nurse crying on the news because she couldn’t find provisions after long hospital shifts.

As previously reported by the Star, Martin contacted Eccleston Arms owner Andy Mikhail and they turned the venue into an essential stores for NHS staff and the elderly.

Amateur rugby league club players from Blackbrook took on roles as delivery drivers and the likes of Johnny Vegas and Paul Sculthorpe have also been sending out the supplies to people isolating at home.

St Helens Star:

Martin, with Steve Prescott and Paul Sculthorpe in 2012

On the award, Martin said: "Thanks to thousands who supported and voted I am truly overwhelmed, humbled and have to say embarrassed to have won Britain’s Lockdown Community Hero Award by the Daily Telegraph.

"This award is for everyone who has contributed to the Eccleston Arms Bar & Grill Essential Items project to keep the St Helens and surrounding areas Coronavirus free and for the public to #StaySafeStayHome.

"There has been a lot of key players that have put this into operation none more so than my great friend and owner of the Mikhail Group Andrew Mikhail. From when I made that call on the Friday morn, Eccleston Arms and Bold Hotel was set to be “supermarkets” within 12 hours. I always say Andrew’s heart is bigger than the mountain he is.

"Andrew enrolled his phenomenal staff and the services of the exceptional Blackbrook ARLFC. Over 50 people in total when lockdown broke, all played their part in the protection and support of our NHS heroes, elderly and vulnerable.

"When it became evident that our service needed to be expanded, as ever our SPF ambassadors came to the fore; Lee Briers; Tommy Martyn; Martin Murray and Paul Sculthorpe MBE.

"And Saint Johnny Vegas who took the Essential Items to another level. When JV sent me the Russell Crowe video, I have to admit I cried.

"I cried because I realised that the great name of Steve Prescott, his astonishing legacy will now rightly so, go out to a National and International audience.

"Once the PPE crisis hit, JV and his amazing PA Bev Dixon actively sought out vital PPE and this also came under the Eccleston Arms umbrella.

"If you ever need a campaign manager JV is your man.

"The SPF trustees and committee as ever have supported me all the way and at times we had difficult decisions that had to be made and as ever we all came to the right result.

"The award is also for my family who in the first few weeks seen or heard less from me than normal, especially my wife Karen Blondel who had to watch me more than usual on my phone.

"This award is also for St Helens and special members of the St Helens Council who go above the call of duty, David Baines, Suzanne Davies and Gary Maddock who are always there to support the SPF.

"I am the 'fat controller', I have been socially isolating and have directed operations. This has been in the truest sense of the word a 'Team Effort'.

"This award is not for MJB, it is for everyone mentioned in the groups above.

"It is also for St Helens who in times of adversity always come together better than none.

"It is also for my inspiration, whose name will never be forgotten Steve Prescott

"And also dedicated to one of our own Chris Carberry who sadly we said goodbye to today! Sure Precky will be waiting at the pearly gates for you with a set of golf clubs.

"RIP Chris Carberry."