Hartlepool Community Grocery

My name is Phil Dixon, and I am the pastor at Oxford Road Baptist Church in Hartlepool. In partnership with The Message Trust the church runs Hartlepool Community grocery. Since opening in April 2024, our grocery has welcomed over 1,000 members. With an estimated 2–4 people per household, that means we’ve helped feed more than 4,400 individuals in just one year.

On Saturday July 12th I'll be running an ultramarathon of 55km (35 miles) in the Lake District. I hope to raise £2000, the cost per month to the church, of running the grocery.

The Community Grocery is more than just a place to shop—it’s a vital part of our mission at Oxford Road. We provide affordable access to essentials like cleaning products, frozen goods, fresh fruit and veg, crisps, sweets, and more. Already, the positive impact on our community is clear.

By completing this run, I hope to inspire others to support this life-changing initiative and help sustain it for the future.