LOCAL fundraising and charity superstar, Radek Evans, had a very busy Christmas Eve as he visited six supermarkets in just one night to collect excess food to give to those in need.
This is the third year in a row that Radek, dressed up as Santa, has hit supermarkets on Christmas Eve – but this time he has visited six supermarkets across Wiltshire (with a little help from Santa’s elves), more than he had ever done before. Radek says he does this to prevent food waste to landfill as well as helping feed those people who may need it most.
Radek said, “The night went really well – we managed to visit three supermarkets in Melksham, Trowbridge and Bradford on Avon and we managed to collect about 300kg of potatoes, swedes, carrots, cauliflower, sprouts, and cabbage that went out to 175 people in 36 parcels who collected it with help of seven volunteers who helped pack. I also dropped off 15 bags of broccoli, 15 loafs of bread and ten ready meals to the nurses at Frome Hospital.
“I also collected from supermarkets in Warminster and Westbury and Chippenham and managed to save 620kg of food to feed 100 people who are struggling so all in total almost a ton of food was saved, and we managed to feed over 300 people!
“I undertook this challenge to help stop food waste going to landfill and to hopefully help feed people that may be struggling this winter.”
One lady who collected a food package on the night said, “This is an amazing thing that Radek is doing – I didn’t have any food really for Christmas due to my circumstances, so this has come as a real relief.” Radek also volunteers in many different charity and community groups in Frome.
He said, “For the last two years I have also helped many charities and community groups in Frome and the surrounding areas such as schools, Active and in Touch, Songs for Memory, coffee mornings for older people, knit and natter groups, and the YMCA.
“It always a delight to see the lovely faces of everyone – lots of these people are struggling and are on small pension so I here to help where I can.”
