A TEENAGER has been praised for her community spirit as well as her culinary skills after making pizzas for friends, family and key workers during lockdown.

Chloe Hellen, 13, a cadet first aider with St John Ambulance Cymru, wanted to do something to put a smile on people's faces while raising money for the Deeside and Mold branch.

Making use of the pizza oven in her family's garden in Buckley, the Elfed High School pupil made and delivered fresh pizzas - while sticking to social distancing rules - and managed to raise £80.

Chloe even decorated the pizza boxes with inspirational messages and thanks for our NHS heroes and other key workers.

The Leader:

Chloe's pizza boxes

Chloe said: "We were making pizza one day and thought it would be a good way to put a smile on people's faces during these difficult times. We made a menu so people could choose their toppings and made them for friends, family, and neighbours, some of who are key workers."

Dad, Matt said: "We are very proud of her. She has always been very helpful. With St John Ambulance Cymru she volunteers at events and festivals."

Chloe said that her training and experience with St John Ambulance Cymru has provided her with invaluable life skills.

She made a video explaining what volunteering means to her.

The Leader:

Chloe Hellen, 13, of Buckley, with the fresh pizzas she made for friends, family and key workers

In it, Chloe said: "I am a proud volunteer at the Deeside and Mold unit in North Wales. Since the start of Covid-19, my daily experiences have changed from school lessons at home to no being able to meet my friends. I miss not being able to go to cadets and duties on the weekend.

"In the future I would like to go into the medical profession or become a scientist.

"St John Ambulance Cymru has taught me some amazing skills, like first aid knowledge, social skills, and the confidence to meet and help people. The cadet leaders are amazing people and I have learnt so much from them.

"I would like to say to anyone wanting to volunteer with St John Ambulance Cymru to definitely go for it. Volunteering is such a good thing to do, it will teach you new skills that you can use for the rest of your life and it is very rewarding."

The Leader:

Chloe Hellen, 13, of Buckley, is a volunteer with the Deeside and Mold unit of St John Ambulance Cymru

Chloe has been praised by The Pulse, the meeting place for St John Ambulance Cymru volunteers aged 25 and under, during Volunteers' Week 2020 which started on Monday, June 1.

They tweeted: "Chloe has been supporting her community and fundraising by baking bread and pizzas. #thankyou to Chloe and all our other Cadets who are doing amazing things during lock-down. #VolunteersWeek2020."