Keeping families fed during the coronavirus crisis

Ryde charity Aspire has served up more than 300 frozen meals and provided 300 food parcels to the most vulnerable members of their town, during the eight weeks of coronavirus lockdown.

The organisation – which has worked in conjunction with the local foodbank – also relies on charitable donations to keep operations going.

Housing association Sovereign provided £2,000 to support the charity via its ‘Coronavirus Emergency Funding’, established at the outbreak of coronavirus, hand hosted by the charitable giving platform The Good Exchange. 

Toby Eaglen, Community Development Officer, said: “We worked with Aspire before the COVID-19 crisis and we’ll continue to do so once the peak has passed. Sovereign is an intrinsic part of the community in Ryde and we know that working with existing organisations, who know the people and know the area, is often the best way to maximise the value of the funding that we can offer.”

The funding from Sovereign still remains open for charities looking for support.

Trevor Nicholas, Chief Exec of Aspire Ryde, said: “If you are a Ryde resident and are considered vulnerable or are experiencing difficulties due to self-isolation, please call 01983 811105 or email reception@rydetowncouncil.gov.uk and we’ll do everything we can to continue to support you.”