Page 13 - Herald Feburary 2023

FEBRUARY 2023
THE NEW COUNTESTHORPE HERALD 13
HAPPY NEW YEAR TO ALL OUR FANTASTIC CLIENTS, DONORS AND
SUPPORTERS.
Christmas 2022 was our busiest yet (even busier than 2020 in the pandemic)- with over 350 people provided for in just 3 weeks. Thank you to everyone who donated to us in December. We received 4.5 tonnes of donations in December alone and distributed over 5 tonnes to our clients in need.
You have all made such a difference to people in our community. A huge thank you to our volunteers too for all the hard work they put in to ensure each family who is referred to us has enough food and supplies. It may only be tins and packets but it provides hope to people and some relief.
As we start 2023, our demand is already increasing once again. Pre-pandemic, it was usual for us to see 5- 10 families per session; it is now regularly double that number. Families and single people who are simply struggling to make the outgoings balance with the funds they have coming in. We work closely with local referral agencies to ensure people are accessing the right levels of support that is available but often, that support is simply not enough. If you are struggling, please do not suffer in silence.
Please do reach out to one of our referral agency partners, who can support you and refer you to our services if required. Citizens Advice - 0300 3302 111
Local Area Coordinator ( Countesthorpe) Eleanor Blackwell 07526 929023/ 3054707, Local Schools and Churches, Countesthorpe Health centre, Blaby District Council Community Hub 275 0555. Or contact us for more details. Lucy Freeman, Project Manager, Lutterworth & Villages Foodbank Tel: 01455 558797
Embrace the new year by attending one of the Leicestershire & Rutland Wildlife Trust events or going for a health boosting walk!
The Trust are looking forward to delivering some exciting projects this year and continuing to make a difference to our local wildlife and wild spaces. Why not spring into the new year by attending one of their events from a mixed program of talks and walks planned. During the winter, our reserves can be great for watching wildlife or simply going for a healthy walk.
Thank you for all your support, you are making a huge difference to protect and enhance the wild spaces and
wildlife of Leicestershire and Rutland. https://www.lrwt.org.
The Great Central Railway will be running passenger trains on the Mountsorrel branch line again from the end of February. It’s two and a half years since trains last ran on the line and three and a half years since they last ran all the way to Bond Lane. It’ll be fantastic for all the volunteers who worked so hard to restore the line, to see it being used again! Trains will be running from Mountsorrel Station on Bond Lane, to the Heritage Centre, Rothley and Leicester North. See the GCR website for further details https://www.gcrailway.co.uk/ march-bridge-repairs/ Come
along and ride the trains to help
make these four weekends a success, so we can hopefully see the railway being used again throughout the year!
Flexpress advert
Community transport in Blaby District
Your friendly dial-a-ride door to service
We are looking for
Volunteer Escorts
and Drivers
for our modern fleet of mini-buses
(Full training given)
For more information please contact: Olly Curran on 07836 218783
or Kim Richardson on 07899 668034 Registered charity number: 1117153