Food collections organised by an after-school club in Chandler’s Ford have given the Hendy Group Christmas Campaign an early boost with vital supplies for the winter now heading to the local foodbank.

Parents of children who attend Rebecca’s Out of School Club have already donated more than £1,500 of food to the campaign with parents also securing support from their business colleagues.

Tracy Hannigan-Palmer from the out of school club says that every year Rebecca’s supports a foodbank but this year the support has been incredible.

Tracy said: “At Rebecca’s we have always strived to support the local community and have supported many local foodbanks in the past. At this time of year, we recognise the increasing demand placed on our foodbanks to support those in need.

“When we saw the Hendy initiative, all the children and parents rallied round to collect as much as possible and we were thrilled with the response. We have collected more than we ever could have imagined, thanks to the generosity of all our families.” 

Companies donating include Telmar CNC Precision Engineers in Chandler’s Ford and those working with parent Matt Whale who works for Octavius Infrastructure.

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Matt Whale is currently overseeing footbridge works in Campbell Road in the centre of Eastleigh. “It is not very often I get to work on a project so close to home and when Rebecca’s After School Club emailed out to say they were looking for donations for Eastleigh Basics Bank I thought I would ask everyone involved with the repair work to the Campbell Road Bridge to see if we could give something back to the local community,” he said.

“I have been impressed by the donations of the team just in time for Christmas and I know the kids have enjoyed helping taking delivery.”

Food is being collected from the after-school club in the festive Hendy Ford E-Transit and being taken to the Eastleigh Basics Bank for distribution to the local community.

David Graham, head of retail CV sales at Hendy Group said the contribution from Rebecca’s has given the campaign a real boost.

He said: “This campaign is all about helping the local communities in which we operate and our thanks go to all the parents and staff at Rebecca’s helping support our efforts.”

Food donations can now be made at the Hendy Southampton Transit Centre in Leigh Road, Eastleigh which is taking donations Monday to Saturday from now until December 31.