Businesses fasting to raise money for hungry children in Cheshire this Christmas

A group of business people have been fasting for 24 hours to raise funds to help feed hungry children in Cheshire this Christmas.

The team at Bridge Community Farms CIC joined up with Sarah Finlay from Milestone Mums and Food for Thought Ellesmere Port to fund food hampers to get people through the Christmas period.

On their JustGiving page ‘Food for Thought Ellesmere Port’ they are challenging people to go hungry and to encourage three of their friends to do the same.

They planned to raise a target of £750 to pay for Christmas dinner for 200 families but have already smashed it and raised over £3,000.

The money will be used to supply each family with a packed vegetable box from Bridge Community Farm along with a turkey joint, a pudding, mince pies and crackers plus a pamper pack for mums from Milestone Mums.

Atomic Kitten Natasha Hamilton has pledged her support to the campaign. Over 140 people have either donated or completed the fasting challenge so far.

Clair Johnson, General Manager of Bridge Community Farm, said: “Whilst the majority of us during lockdown will have been planning for the forthcoming Christmas period and all its festivities, there are families who will be wondering how they will get through Christmas this year.

“They may even be wondering how they will get through this week or even this day. These will not just be families in receipt of benefits or who are entitled to free school meals. These will be working families that, through no fault of their own, are struggling to make ends meet.

“Families who are having to make a choice whether to heat their homes or feed their children and go without themselves.

“As a group, we wanted to do something to help. Going hungry for 24 hours is a small way of experiencing what it feels like.”

Sarah Finlay, founder of Milestone Mums, a peer support group for mums with mental health problems, whose patron is Atomic Kitten Natasha Hamilton, said: “Three years ago I had post-natal depression after having my daughter and was unable to go back to work. I know what it feels like to go hungry. At that time, I was living off £30 a week, which mostly went on baby milk and nappies.

“As part of the challenge, I fasted for 36 hours which I found really tough and upsetting. To feel that kind of hunger filled me with sadness as it made me realise how many people feel this on a regular basis and children are going to school hungry.

“To be able to participate in a project that’s going to help feed our local families Christmas dinner fills me with so much pride.

“We’re delighted with the money that has been raised so far but are looking for more donations so we can help more families.”

Food for Thought Ellesmere Port is concerned that 14% of local families with children have experienced food insecurity in the past six months with a staggering 75% of these families being in employment.

They are asking people to fast for just 24 hours – and to encourage three friends to do the same - to get a small insight into how someone who has no food struggles for often a much longer period of time.

As well as appealing for funds and for more people to take part in the challenge, the team are looking for people who can help fill hampers and distribute them.

To get involved please visit the Food for Thought in the Post JustGiving page https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/foodforthought2020

If you would like to get involved in another way please contact Bridge Community Farms at Bridgevegbox@gmail.com, call 0744 6699995 or visit https://bwgardens.co.uk/

For more information on Milestone Mums visit their Facebook page:

https://www.facebook.com/milestonemums1/ and Instagram @milestone_mums

https://www.facebook.com/milestonemums1/videos/892566354612999

Pictured - Clair Johnson General Manager of Bridge Community Farm.

The video shows Milestone Mums patron Atomic Kitten Natasha Hamilton supporting the campaign.