Wirral tea room helps charities by preparing school lunches

Fleur Ashley Tea Room & Cake Studio in Wallasey Village has been making homemade packed lunches for vulnerable children and families during Covid-19.

The lunches have gone to a variety of Wirral charities and organisations who have been helping to distribute the lunches to those who need them most.

Amie Jones, who runs the tea room said: “The need for these food bags is greater than most people may realise especially during the pandemic with people losing their jobs and having their hours cut.

The lunches come expertly packaged. Photo: Rebecca McGrath

"I know the bags are going to help greatly but it’s not just about providing food it’s knowing that people are thinking about them and that they’re not alone.”

The campaign has been facilitated by Chief Executive of Nuven Solutions, John Simmonds who donated money to Fleur Ashley Tea Room to turn into 250 lunches.

Mr Simmonds said: "Further to the tremendous campaign by England footballer Marcus Rashford, we wanted to make a contribution to the push to feed children struggling to get nutritious meals, particularly as we have entered another lockdown.

"We are delighted that Amie from Fleur Ashley Tea Rooms has enthusiastically agreed to take our donation and turn it into 250 delicious, hearty and healthy meals to be distributed to those who need them most. It's great that we can come together in this small way to help the community."

Koala North West, Friends of Wallasey Group, The Hive Wirral Youth Zone, and Charlotte Brightside have been distributing the lunch packs to the families they support.

Heather Anderson, Fundraiser for The Hive said: “The impact of these lunches can’t be underestimated because sometimes this is the only meal some of these young are eating that day.

"Unfortunately, it’s the reality for a lot of people that are going without food through no fault of their own. It’s especially hard at Christmas time when families are having to choose between paying for utility bills, Christmas presents or eating that day.”

As well as being sent to families and children the lunches are also being given to elderly people and single new mothers.

Sara Atherton, Project Leader for Koala North West Breast Feeding Service said: “We distributed the lunches to busy new single mums who have new born babies and little toddlers.

"Often it can be difficult for these mothers to feed themselves when they’re so busy looking after their own children so it’s been great getting the lunches out to them as a nice little surprise.”

Fleur Ashley Team Room in Wallasey Village. Photo: Rebecca McGrath

Every lunch is freshly made by Amie and her daughter Kelly McWilliam which includes; a piece of homemade cake, cheese and ham sandwiches, crisps, tangerine, and a drink.

Kelly said: “Its more than just food it’s the effort that’s come together from a whole group of people who want to give something back and let these people know that we’re here and we want to help.”