Old Wimbledonians Association is celebrating the delivery of their 5000th meal to frontline workers as part of their ‘Doing a bit’ project.
The association has been delivering thousands of meals to frontline staff at; Kingston Hospital, St Helier and Epsom Hospital, East Surrey, Royal County and St Georges.
Old Wimbledonians decided to launch the project after a keyworker sent a heart-wrenching message on a WhatsApp group pleading for food for night staff.
The message sent on April 5, said: “Many of the doctors and nurses are staying in temporary accommodation.
“There are food donations from the public in the day, but the night staff are struggling to find food to eat.
"Many cannot cook because they are in hotels with no self-catering facilities.
“So, given that everyone has been generously discussing giving donations, would anyone consider dropping either home-cooked food donations, fresh fruit or healthy snacks or homemade cakes to keep the staff going overnight.”
In response, Old Wimbledonians set up a kitchen (on April 6th) with resident chef Richard Brown and sent out 72 meals on their first day.
One week later, the Alexandra Pub in Wimbledon offered to open an additional hub, followed by the Rose and Crown.
Together, Old Wimbledonians have been working alongside Dons Local Action Group and Save The Food Club to source ingredients to make the meals.
Several organisations have stepped forward to offer their help such as; CriticalNHS, Donhead school, The Revellers, Wimbledon Warriors, Fulham Football Club, Allebona Food Company, Princess of India and Zaika Restaurant.
Simon Otter and Gregory Martis, of Old Wimbledon's, said: "The whole community has come together to deliver food to those in need.
"This has helped bring the club together and we are just glad to help in this difficult time.
"Frontline workers save lives, so we make the food, with the help of Dons Local Action Group who have brought the food cost down."
Stephen Hammond visited the Old Wimbledonians on April 26, to mark their 5000th meal delivery.
Stephen Hammond said: "I am extremely impressed and inspired by how the Old Wimbledonians have reacted to the current crisis.
"It is a testament to our local community that it has come together so strongly.
"The community has helped Old Wimbledonians provide more than 5000 meals to our front line NHS workers within the last three weeks."
If you would like to help Old Wimbledonians with their food cost, visit at: https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/doingabit-oldwimbledonianssportsassociation?utm_term=Q9xEe9PDw
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