Bedford Deliveroo rider awarded Gold Card for helping the community during coronavirus pandemic

A Bedford Deliveroo rider has been awarded a Deliveroo Gold Card loaded with £1,000 worth of credit for his efforts during the coronavirus pandemic.

Earlier this month Deliveroo announced that it was giving away ten Deliveroo Gold Cards to frontline healthcare and community heroes who have worked tirelessly during the COVID-19 outbreak.

The coveted Gold Cards were awarded exclusively to frontline workers, including NHS workers, volunteers and key workers as a token of gratitude for their ongoing inspirational work to support and care for the vulnerable.

The public were asked to nominate themselves, a friend, or a family member on Deliveroo’s Instagram, Facebook and Twitter pages by tagging them and highlighting their contribution, to be in with a chance to win.

Last week, Ted Dalleywater, from Sandy, was contacted by the food-delivery company, letting him know he’d been selected as one of the 10 gold card winners.

He had been put forward by his brother Aaron on Instagram, the nomination read: “It’s an easy nomination for me! Whilst juggling his university work/exams, @ted.dalleywater spends the rest of his free time Deliverooing his heart out on his bicycle around the streets of Bedford. Come rain or shine, this lad has done so much to help the local community by allowing people who may be at risk to receive their weekly shop and essentials safely. Some boy is our Ted.”

Ted, 19, who has been working as a rider for just over a year, had been studying International Business at Nottingham University before temporarily moving back to his family home in Sandy when the pandemic began.

When asked what he was most looking forward to ordering on Deliveroo, Ted said that he couldn’t wait to treat his girlfriend to ‘brownies and waffles’ from Heavenly Desserts when he returns back to university in September.

Will Shu, CEO and Co-founder, Deliveroo, said: “We want to recognise and celebrate the thousands of key workers across the country who have been doing their bit throughout what has been a remarkably challenging period.

"The way communities have rallied to support each other is inspiring and these Gold Cards are another small token of our appreciation for the individuals who have gone over and above. From everyone at Deliveroo, thank you.”

Deliveroo has now made over 500,000 free meals available to NHS workers and vulnerable people as part of it’s Support the NHS campaign, which launched in March.

With the support of Deliveroo’s restaurant partners, customer donations and corporate partners, the food delivery company has been delivering meals to hospitals and communities across the country throughout the COVID-19 period.

Deliveroo has also released over 80,000 free £20 vouchers for NHS workers.