Graphic designer Andy Pink from Liverpool offered free services or support for a very low cost to start-ups and small businesses that he knew were struggling during COVID-19. Tony McDonough reports

A Merseyside freelance graphic designer has scooped a national award for his acts of generosity and kindness during the COVID-19 pandemic.

After the crisis hit in March, Liverpool-born and now Rainhill-based Andy Pink offered free services or support for a very low cost to start-ups and small businesses that he knew were struggling.

Now his spirit of generosity has been rewarded in the 2020 Yuno Juno Freelancer Awards where he was the only winner from Liverpool. The awards, now in their sixth year, usually focusing on excellence. This years the organisers decided that it’s not only about the great work, but also about kindness.

Andy’s biggest project that he offered free work for was for a new start-up after meeting the owner at a networking event pre-COVID. The owner left his company during lockdown and Andy offered to help him reduce his start-up costs by providing a full branding pack and pitching video free of charge.

Having only been freelancing full time since August 2019, Andy appreciates the uncertainty that starting out alone would bring, especially during the pandemic. Offering services including logo design, branding, bespoke web design, UI/UX, lead generation and copywriting, he loves the freedom that being a freelancer brings.

He said: “I feel overwhelmingly proud to have won a Yuno Juno Freelancer of the Year award. Being nominated was brilliant enough but to actually be acknowledged for my services during the pandemic is really special.

“It’s been such a tough year and I just felt so passionate about helping people and businesses that I knew were struggling to stay afloat during this time. I’m incredibly grateful to Yuno Juno for recognising my work and honouring me alongside the other fantastic and much-deserving winners.”

Andy, who works with North West-based companies as well as others from across the UK including James Troop & Co, MyLegal, Creative Peak, Advanced Aesthetics, was nominated by his clients In Focus Consulting, HeselTech, VerifiiD and Owen Peters Photography.

They detailed their great experience working with Andy on branding and web design projects, pointing out his incredible attention to detail and knowledge of his craft.

Yuno Juno is the UK’s largest marketplace of creative and tech freelancers, and pairs creatives with some of the biggest global brands including BBC, Google, Sky, ITV, Selfridges, Eurostar and M&C Saatchi.