A family run business has stacked up thousands of hours of volunteering during lockdown.

Platinum Event Hire Ltd, based in Maldon were set for a big year until the coronavirus pandemic caused events and weddings to be cancelled.

During the first week, the company has 30 bookings cancelled, and by the end of the second week they had over 56 and £20,000 worth of bookings cancelled.

Director Liam Clarke said: "To a small company was huge and was definitely going to have an impact.

"I began to panic and wonder if we could continue as a business as more and more people were asking for refunds and without the cash flow we were pretty screwed.

"Then one evening I saw on the news there was an opportunity to volunteer and help those in need.

"I instantly thought you know what it could be worse.

Liam signed up to help more vulnerable people and within three task got his first task collecting a prescription.

"I completed the first task which was sent to me via the Good Samaritan app and was hooked immediately.

"I have since met lots of lovely people who will be lifelong friends and have just achieved 1442 hours of volunteering.

"I can honestly say since covid and lockdown it has completely changed my perspective of life.

"I am much more grateful for the smaller things in life.

"I Have had much more enjoyment and happiness from volunteering than any paid work I’ve ever done.

"Seeing the faces of the people I am helping who some only see me and that’s it is priceless."