Council fund continues to support community efforts in Wragby

Deputy leader of the council Councillor Patricia Bradwell OBE (Woodhall Spa and Wragby Division) has chosen several community groups to support.

Coun Bradwell said: “These have been exceptionally challenging times for many people during Covid-19, and it has been wonderful to see communities pulling together and helping others, shopping, collecting prescriptions and many other acts of kindness.

“As the county moves into a recovery phase, community groups and organisations still need our support.

“One group I chose to support with a grant of £500 is Wragby ChEF, whose amazing volunteers have thrown themselves into providing healthy cooked meals to vulnerable and isolating residents, as well as nutritious lunches for all children in the town.

“They’ve also worked with Wragby Young Farmers who are running the local food bank.”

Since schools closed in March to most children, Wragby ChEF has provided more than 3,348 lunches for local children, including 60 chicken dinners on one day, and during the last half term, 48 fresh pitta pizzas together with fruit, a sandwich and yoghurt.

By August 6, 1,176 hot meals on wheels had been delivered to doorsteps all around Wragby, with roast dinners being a favourite.

The food bank has also provided 193 boxes, available to residents in need.

Norma Higton, chair of Wragby ChEF, said: “When coronavirus started we saw that some residents would need support, and decided as a group that we wanted to help, and ensure that no one in the community would go hungry.

“For some people the delivery of hot meals is their only social contact, and we also wanted to ensure that children in Wragby would be able to access a nutritious lunch every day.

“We really appreciate the grant, and the Wragby Methodist Church who have allowed us to operate from their premises. We will continue to operate these services as long as they are needed.”

Coun Bradwell also awarded £300 to Hemingby Support Group, set up to help vulnerable residents during lockdown. The village pub, the Coach and Horses had closed, but it reopened as a village shop enabling residents to buy groceries.

The landlord is also cooking hot meals for residents, and volunteers are checking that people who may become isolated are well, through regular phone calls.

Further grants awarded by Coun Bradwell include £200 to Baumber Volunteer Group; £200 to Bucknall Parish Council; £500 to Woodhall Spa and Kirkby on Bain Coronavirus Community Support; £500 to the Woodhall Spa Group of Churches.

To find out more about support available, visit www.lincolnshire.gov.uk/
communityfund