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Free food group needs drivers
A GROUP of volunteers who collect and distribute free food to homeless people across Kent are urgently appealing for more drivers. Members of Facebook group
“Free Food in Kent and Medway” collect supplies from Aylesford’s Tesco in Priory Park every Thurs- day and Saturday. They are looking for local helpers who can drive to various locations so that as much food as possible can be used. Organiser Ola Juwan (35), of
Twydall said: “A lot of people who volunteer have their own stories,
most of them used to be homeless themselves and now that they are in a better position, they want to support others in the community. “When I first came to England
from Africa, I was in a similar situ- ation so I can completely relate to how they are feeling. “Our aim is to reach out to more supermarkets and get a larger fol- lowing online, so one day we could maybe even collect daily.”
Store’s school boost
A LARKFIELD supermarket has reflected on another successful year working with a local chil- dren’s charity. Workers at Sainsbury’s Lark-
field store had to cut 10 applica- tions down to three to choose the branch’s charity partner for 2019. Since selecting Friends of Five
Acre Wood School charity, the Mills Road superstore has raised £3,678 towards its “Create a rip- ple…MAKE A SPLASH!” cam- paign, to raise money for a new hydrotherapy pool facility. The foundation was set up to benefit the pupils of Five Acre Wood School, to improve the fa- cilities and promote students’
learning experiences. Principal Peggy Murphy said: “We are an all-age day district special school for children and young people with profound, severe and com- plex learning difficulties, includ- ing autistic spectrum disorders.” Sainsbury’s helped to raise the
profile of the charity, allowed stu- dents and staff to have regular bucket collections and donated items to school fundraising events. Store manager Rob Lyne said: “I
would like to thank my colleagues and our customers for helping us to raise a fantastic amount of money for this worthy local cause.”
Pupils raise cash for kids
PUPILS at The Malling School have raised money for the chil- dren’s charity, NSPCC. The students decorated faces
with glitter and sparkles at the Beech Road school, raising £62.60. It was part of their Diana
Awards scheme, set up in mem- ory of Diana, the Princess of
4 Malling January 2020
Wales, who died in 1997. Guidance manager Holly Simpson, who oversaw the sale, said: “For their community award, the pupils have to fundraise and they think the NSPCC is fantastic. I am really proud. They are amazing kids – they love what they do.”
M&S autumn opening
THE brand new M&S store near junction seven of the M20 is taking shape and will be open for business in the autumn. The developer, the Gallagher
Group, says the scheme at Eclipse Park is on time and on budget, with a store opening date pencilled in for October this year. It was due to open in 2019, but
that date was pushed back in April. Gallagher Group chief executive
Lance Taylor said: “It’s all good news. We're on time and in budget. We are very pleased with the de- sign and the quality of work. “We are looking forward to com-
pleting the shell and the exterior works by early spring, and M&S will
then take about six months to fit and stock the interior.” The new M&S store is widely an-
ticipated, because it offers motor- way access and free parking, which will attract shoppers in from areas such as Aylesford, Snodland and West Malling and Kings Hill. Business development group
One Maidstone hopes developer contributions (section 106 money) can be diverted into providing mit- igation to the town centre. Gallagher has landscaped the
site to give the plants a chance to establish over winter and laid a concrete apron for the service area. Currently, it is finishing cladding and glass work.
“From the very beginning, I told
the management at Tesco that we are all more than happy to use our petrol and our time to help others, the food is going to be destroyed anyway. I would much rather drive and give it to someone in need.”
Volunteer driver Catherine Davison, of West Malling, said: “We do it out of the kindness of our hearts, really. I was in a similar sit-
uation once, with four young kids and penniless, I relied on help and food banks. “I want to give something back
to society - it makes all the differ- ence. If you know anyone who is struggling, please pop along and grab food for them or get them to join our Facebook page.” To volunteer join the Free Food
in Kent and Medway page on Facebook.
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