Christmas will be a little brighter for visitors to two foodbanks in Cambridgeshire thanks to the generosity of staff at Addenbrooke’s and the Rosie hospitals.
Between them they have donated hundreds of items – from household staples to tasty festive treats - to Godmanchester and Cambridge City Foodbanks.
The appeal for Godmanchester started in November and was led by chief nurse, Lorraine Szeremeta, who was amazed at the response to an item she put in the staff bulletin.
Despite fears inflation would dampen this year’s response, her office was soon brimming with donations like, pasta, sauces, soups, rice, chocolates, biscuits and even Christmas presents, which arrived from every corner of the hospital.
Lorraine, who has run similar collections for the last 15 years, said: “I was concerned the rising cost of living would impact on support, but actually it’s been the complete opposite! Our teams have been incredibly generous and plainly mindful of the tough position others may be in this Christmas.
I recognise I’m in a fortunate position working full-time and having support around me. I’m very conscious, however, this is not always the case for many others. Organising a collection or charity event is the least I think I can do to help.
Lorraine Szeremeta
Dr Wilf Kelsall, a consultant paediatrician and neonatologist, started an appeal across Division E around the same time, and ultimately delivered 60 complete hampers to Cambridge City Foodbank.
They were filled with items ranging from tinned meat and fish to chocolates and Christmas cake, and were donated by secretaries, nurses, midwives, doctors, speech and language therapists and others working in the fields of paediatrics and obstetrics.
Wilf, who has been a volunteer for Cambridge Food Bank for more than five years, said:
I have been blown away by people's generosity- staff and their families have been amazing. It has been humbling, and has more than met my expectations. The food bank team was delighted by the response knowing they would definitely receive a large number of hampers.
Dr Wilf Kelsall
Godmanchester (opens in a new tab) and Cambridge City Foodbanks (opens in a new tab) are part of a nationwide network of foodbanks, supported by The Trussell Trust, working to combat poverty and hunger across the UK.
Foodbank CEO Steve Clay said thanks to the generosity of the public they have received a record number of registrations to help the annual Christmas Winter Hamper Appeal.
He said:
Our vital services are becoming even more necessary with the current cost of living crisis, and we could not be more grateful to the staff at Addenbrooke’s and the Rosie hospitals for their outstanding support this year.
Steve Clay