Volunteers from National Highways and their suppliers have saved a local charity nearly £14,000 by helping them move into their new warehouse.
Bedford Foodbank has recently seen a 42% increase in demand, meaning the charity needed to look for a bigger premises to cater for those in desperate need of food parcels.
National Highways, with the support from a number of their contractors working on road projects in the area, stepped forward to help with the relocation and 12 volunteers and several vehicles were involved in transporting 1,300 food crates – which will only cover seven days of donations – to their new home.
Despite allocating two days for the relocation, the team of volunteers from National Highways, Skanska, Morgan Sindall, FM Conway and Ringway helped to complete the job in just five hours.
One of National Highways’ contractors WJ South Limited also lined the floor of the food bank’s new home free of charge.
The charity estimates that between £12,000 and £14,000 in costs has been saved by not paying for professional removers. This will allow them to redirect the money into more stock and help to improve facilities at their new base.
Project Manager for the food bank, Pete Bennett, said: “The help provided by the National Highways in lining the warehouse, and then resourcing the move itself was absolutely invaluable.
“What could have been a very arduous move was accomplished incredibly quickly, with no breakages. We were able to pack food parcels as planned the following day.
“All those involved were first class, we can’t thank you enough.”
National Highways project manager, Dean Birch, who coordinated the volunteering on the day, said: “As an organisation we believe it’s vitally important to give back to the local communities in which we work.
“Helping the food bank with their move to new and bigger premises is exactly the type of work we are here to support. We hope the food bank staff quickly settle into their new surroundings so they can continue delivering their vital work across local communities.”
A grand opening of the new home for the Bedford Foodbank is set to take place on 3 February, attended by the Lord Lieutenant of Bedfordshire.
Donations to Bedford Foodbank can be made here.
