Charity founder given One Show surprise

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The founder of a charity which helps the homeless was surprised with a thank you by the BBC’s One Show.

But in typical style, Hayley Thomas has been quick to make it about the charity’s workers and volunteers.

Helping Caring Team (HCT) was founded in 2019 by Hayley and provides help and advocacy to homeless and vulnerable people.

Gathering at the New Bungalow Club in Oakdale under the guise of a game of bingo, Hayley was given the special ‘One Big Thank You’ by Ian ‘H’ Watkins from Steps – who was calling the numbers.

The segment was then broadcast on the BBC1 show and featured a special video message from TV presenter Dermot O’Leary.

Hayley said she thought something was up when she walked into the club and realised all her friends and family were there – as well as singer H.

She said: “I thought ‘this is a bit weird’. Then during bingo they called out number one – this is the One Show. I couldn’t quite process it – I wasn’t getting it. Then they said I’d been nominated.

“It was crazy, but very, very nice. It’s nice for HCT to get the recognition and nice for the community to get the recognition as it’s a massive community thing.”

While Hayley thanked all of HCT’s volunteers and workers, she singled out Ceri Waters (who nominated her for the One Show award), Lisa Thomas, Sue Evans, and Kari-Ann Tunkin for their efforts.

She added: “The whole community is a part of what we do because everybody plays a part. Without people helping us, we wouldn’t be able to help other people.”