A network of community volunteers in St Minver are celebrating after receiving an anonymous donation of £3000 to continue to fund twice-weekly meals for vulnerable residents self-isolating due to COVID-19.
So far they have relied on the generosity of local chef Paul Ainsworth, but this grant means the meals can be supplied for the next 12 weeks.
When the COVID-19 crisis hit Cornwall, local businesses and individuals wasted no time in coming together to organise a network of volunteers and print leaflets to distribute to over 2500 households in St Minver. Within a week there were over 50 volunteers organised into geographical areas – the bulk coming from the SeaGirls WI.
Volunteer coordinator Morwenna Vernon said “The enthusiasm and commitment of the volunteer team is remarkable. We are working together so well and it seems the community are glad we’re there to support them, whether it is a meal, doing their shopping, walking the dog or just phoning for a chat. We’re all in this together; we call the people we are supporting FINs which stands for Friend In Need because we all need one of them some time!
‘We were over the moon to have been given £3000 to continue to fund our service. The gift made us all very emotional at the kindness of strangers in these unprecedented times.”
Owner of The Mariners, Paul Ainsworth, donated trays of eggs, 50 fish pies, 50 cottage pies, 50 portions of soup, pizza and cake to start the project off; as well portions of spotted dick, syrup sponge pudding and crumbles. All meals were prepared by his fantastic kitchen team coordinated by Paul Dodd.
Now Marc Dingle of Blue Tomato and Steve and Jason of The Pityme Inn have taken over and are preparing 50 meals every Tuesday and Friday – charging simply for the cost of ingredients.
The Friends In Need service also includes shopping, prescription collection, dog walking and newspaper delivery.
Friends in Need received a good write-up on Cornwall Live, as well as a mention on BBC Radio Cornwall.
For more information, visit the Facebook page or website or email stminvercommunity@gmail.com