Greater Anglia customers donate 1,000 meals worth of food

Greater Anglia customers have donated almost 1,000 meals’ worth of food to help people in crisis this winter.

Customers donated around 500kg of food and toiletries, including hot water bottles and blankets, between 1 November and 12 December at Bishop’s Stortford, Harlow Mill, Harlow Town, Sawbridgeworth and Stansted Mountfitchet stations.

The donations were then dropped off at Bishop’s Stortford and Harlow food banks on 15 December.

The initiative was organised by Greater Anglia’s Michael King, who works as a relief ticket office clerk at Sawbridgeworth and Stansted Mountfitchet.

Michael said: “I’d like to say a massive ‘thank you’ to all our customers who donated – to give almost 1,000 meals’ worth of food, it’s amazing.

“It has shocked me how generous people have been considering the cost-of-living crisis at the moment: it’s an absolutely fantastic thing that people have done.

“We donated three or four bags from Harlow Town station, while Stansted Mountfitchet station had customers donating boxes – it’s outstanding how much we got in the end. That’s all thanks to our customers and our colleagues, who donated too.”

The Harlow food bank is supported by the Trussell Trust.

Samantha Stapley, chief operating officer at the Trussell Trust, said: “Thank you to Michael at Greater Anglia, and customers across the region, for their support. As the cost-of-living crisis continues, more people than ever are likely to need a food bank’s help this winter.

“Food bank volunteers are working tirelessly to ensure help continues to be available. But ultimately, no one in the UK should need a food bank – all of us should have enough money for the essentials.

“The support of Michael and the Greater Anglia customers will help food banks within our network continue to provide the lifeline of emergency support for local people in crisis, while we work in the long term to build a hunger-free future.

“Thank you so much.”

A spokesperson at Bishop’s Stortford food bank added: “Thank you to everyone who has donated. We’re so very busy, especially at this time of year, so every donation helps.”

Earlier in 2022, Greater Anglia staff also helped organise an appeal that saw customers donate over 450 chocolate eggs for the children’s wings at the Princess Alexandra Hospital in Harlow and Addenbrooke’s Hospital in Cambridge.

Photo credit: Greater Anglia

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