Stagecoach bus drivers get on board to help Northampton foodbank

Staff get together to help families struggling during pandemic
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Bus drivers have delivered a double-decker full of goodies to a Northampton foodbank.

Stagecoach Midlands raised more than double their initial target in cash and tons of food for Food Aid Far Cotton, which was formed in Northampton last year to help people through the Covid-19 pandemic.

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Drivers and staff from the bus operator — which runs routes across the county — set off aiming to raise £500 but didn't stop and finished with more than £1,000 by the time they got to the end of the line.

Stagecoach's Bradd Collis with some of the food donated to Food Aid Far CottonStagecoach's Bradd Collis with some of the food donated to Food Aid Far Cotton
Stagecoach's Bradd Collis with some of the food donated to Food Aid Far Cotton

Spearheaded by health and well-being champion Bradd Collis and health and safety rep Heather Johnson, the pair got drivers and staff to donate food and money for the cause with the offer a cheeky day off.

Bradd said: “I saw an appeal on Facebook and thought I should get involved so I put out a message to the team at Northampton and started to get loads of food donations.

"Heather then roped in the Assistant Operations Managers with the idea that if we raised £500 they would go out and cover some of the drivers shifts for a day — and we more than doubled our target!

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"I’m really thankful to everyone who donated. When I dropped off the food they were emotional as they don’t usually get such big donations plus a large cheque”

Food Aid Far Cotton launched last May after recognising a real need in to support local vulnerable families who were facing genuine hardship during the pandemic, mainly following loss of income due to sudden unemployment or reduced earnings due to the furlough scheme.

It has donation points located at Grange Park Co-op daily from 7am to 10pm; Common Ground at Delapre Abbey daily from 10am to 3pm, and St Mary’s Church in Towcester Road on Thursday afternoons between 3pm and 5pm.

Donations are used to provide vulnerable families with ambient food, eggs, bread and fresh fruit and veg to supplement their own grocery shopping.