Keep fruit and veg alive on Queens Road.

My name is Pete and this is our story wife Bev was a Type 1 diabetic from childhood; over many years, her kidney function

gradually reduced until 6 years ago, she became very ill with kidney failure. After what felt like a lifetime of dialysis, heart attacks and strokes she finally got the call for a pancreas and a kidney dual transplant. She received her new kidney and pancreas in

The next 2 years were not plain sailing for Bev as she spent a lot of time in hospital recovering from numerous infections and had to remained house bound for weeks due to fear of another infections. Just as she began to spend less and less time in hospital, the COVID pandemic hit. As an extremely vulnerable person she once again was forced to stay at home as the risk of catching COVID was so life threatening; her chances of survival at that time were very small, if she contracted the virus. During this time we were very grateful to all the local businesses that delivered supplies to us they were our lifeline.

During the first lockdown and after another 6 weeks in hospital, Bev decided to start her own business Sid's Fruit and Veg mobile shop so that she could deliver to various local communities and also to vulnerable people who were nervous about visiting shops as we came through the pandemic. Bev previously had a successful office based career but felt she could no longer go back to this as the risks to her health were too great. However Bev is a very determined lady and this was not going to stop her finding a new career.

Bev wrote a brilliant business plan and received a loan from the Government's Start Up Loan scheme and she was off. The business went well working with various villages and local communities to provide first class fruit and veg. Produce was sourced locally from providers including Tony Toach Fruit and Veg wholesaler in Leicester and Sandy, a local honey maker. Bev's produce is not sold wrapped in plastic and remains as sustainable as she can possibly make it.

Hi my name is Pete and I am fundraising to help my wife's small and local fruit and veg business raise £2000 for a council street trading licence on Queens Road, Clarendon Park in Leicester. Bev has been working with W Archer & Sons Butchers to keep local community shops alive. For 6 hours on a Saturday she provides fresh fruit and veg to the local community. This has been very well supported by members of the local Clarendon Park community, who, I hope, will continue to support her in keeping her business alive.

This is her story of how Sid's Fruit and Veg began

All the funds will go on paying for the trading license