Community rallies to support struggling Melton people this Christmas

Dozens of full Christmas dinner hampers have been distributed to elderly people, those who have lost their jobs during the pandemic and others afflicted by mental health or domestic violence issues.

And hundreds of pounds of food and drink has also been donated to the town’s Storehouse food bank to be given out to homeless and disadvantaged people.

The project to supply the hampers was co-ordinated by Sharon Brown, landlady of The Grapes pub in Melton, who has been distributing donated provisions to people in need throughout the pandemic.

Sharon’s ‘Helping The Isolated’ Facebook page was used for people to donate and nominate someone who would benefit from support.

And her team has delivered a remarkable 89 hampers to households with festive food and supplies to help them enjoy their Christmas.

Also involved were John Batty, Tracey Gormley, Dianne Dale and Glynn Cartwright, while Amanda Heath has given free advice to people about coping with their debts through her Melton And District Money Advice Centre.

Sharon has been helping local people for 13 years by collecting donated provisions and her grandparents did so before her half-a-century ago at their Chad’s Cafe in the town.

She said: “Since March when the pandemic started we’ve proved that Melton Mowbray is a fabulous community thanks to all the residents who donated to make this possible, including those who posted money and vouchers through my pub’s door.

“Businesses people like Uzzel at The Spice Club and Dawn, from LOL, have been very supportive, as well as Sarah Cox at Melton Learning Hub.

“They helped make all this possible and I’m grateful to Councillor Alison Freer-Jones and other councillors for their help too.

“I must also mention people at Brampton Community Centre, Age UK Gloucester House, Trevonne Dance School and Holwell Sports Football club, who made big donations.

“This will not end here as the coronavirus battle continues and we will continue to help our community.”

Holwell Sports FC Tweeted about their contribution to Sharon’s campaign, posting: “The final leg of our food drive was completed last night as over £450 of food and drink was presented to Sharon Brown of Help The Isolated.

“A massive thanks to all who donated and helped.”

Staff at Storehouse have been collecting donated food and drink at their base Hope Centre base in Nottingham Street.

Residents of Asfordby have generously provided welcome provisions thanks to an initiative started by Marriott Close dweller, Martin Taylor-Beeby.

Martin said: “We collected a massive 16 full bags of food donations for Storehouse.

“Donations were received from residents of our street, along with other people who live in Asfordby following a news article in the Melton Times and my posts on the Asfordby Spotted Facebook page about the idea.”

He added: “To say it was our first attempt, the response was really very good.

“A lot of different Asfordby residents turned up to donate as I often saw cars and people I didn’t know leaving donations outside my home.

“I will be exploring the possibility of setting up our very own Asfordby food bank for local people in the new year.”

Families connected to Melton’s Birch Wood Area Special School, together with staff members, also contributed items to the town food bank.

The school Tweeted: “Super proud of everyone who donated to Storehouse from our school community.

“0ur students are learning how important it is to think of the needs of others in their community.

“Great work all and thank you Charlotte in 5CA for organising.”