Many of you will remember that I cycled to Venice last year with my son George to raise funds for Lunchbags for Children.

George has organised nearly all of our adventures over the last ten years and I guess it was inevitable that eventually he might want to spend more time with friends during the holidays. I will certainly miss him!

This year I have planned a solo cycle-ride to Barcelona from my home in Bordon. We have crossed the Alps, and the Dolomites and now it is time for the Pyrenees !

As last years' fundraiser made such a big impact on so many peoples lives, I will be raising money for Lunchbags for Children again.

Please read about our appeal from Revd Sandy Clark below.

Brambleton Food Projects

……so no one has to go hungry

What if your summer holidays always meant going hungry in order to feed your children? As we approach this year’s school holidays, many mums and dads are starting to feel anxiety, worrying about how they will manage the six weeks without free school meals and the additional expense of having their children at home. It shouldn’t happen to anyone, anywhere, but certainly not to families so close to the relatively salubrious areas of Surrey.

When we last made our appeal to you, the Lunchbags For Kids project was looking bleak with no funding for much needed food. It was heartbreaking to think that we would have to stop helping children over the holiday months, but thanks to money raised by Will and George’s sponsored cycle to Venice, we were able to give away 21,000 lunches last summer and autumn plus additional fresh food supplements for healthy meals.

Your high-profile encouragement also attracted other local charities, individuals, the BBC, Meridian News and local radio stations, enabling us to raise the remaining £10,000 we needed to keep supporting families in need throughout this last school year. I am so grateful for each of your donations.

So what are we doing with your money?

At Brambleton Hall we operate two food projects throughout the summer: Lunch Bags 4 Children and The Community Fridge and Warehouse.

On Mondays during all school holidays and half term breaks, Lunch Bags 4 Children invites families who are referred to us from schools and other community organisations to come and select a week’s worth of fresh picnic ingredients for each child. Children love making their selections and we often have toys, clothes or other treats to give away making it a special event for everyone who comes. Each week’s worth of lunch supplies cost approximately £10 and we are typically giving away 110 weeks’ worth of food in one session.

On Fridays, the Community Fridge and Warehouse redistributes surplus food and household goods. Each week we receive donations in excess of 150kg of surplus fresh and frozen food for people in need to collect along with an ever changing variety of kitchen utensils, bed linen, clothes, baby equipment, small appliances and furniture. From elderly people whose pensions cannot afford ever-rising living expenses, to young adults who find themselves homeless, to families who can’t make ends meet without additional support, all are welcome. This project runs every week of the year except when Christmas or Boxing Day falls on a Friday when we give supermarket vouchers instead to plug the gap.

Unlike many projects, every penny of your donation will go straight into the hands of those who need our help. The projects are run by volunteers, the hall is provided by our church and there are no further expenses to bear.

In order to meet the ever-increasing demand for our services we will need your help again. The donations you made last year saved our project from folding and your generous support for our intrepid Will, will allow us to help make summer a holiday time for all.

-Sandy

Revd Sandy Clarke, Vicar of The Bourne and Tilford