TOON STAR AT CITY’S FOOD BANK
Hayden helps out after fans’ kindness
A MILE and a half from St James’ Park, midfielder Isaac Hayden is dishing out sausage, mash and cups of tea.
One of the recipients is called Michael. A couple of years ago he was a Newcastle United season ticket holder, until illness struck.
He lost his job after 16 years as a landscape gardener. Money troubles drove him into debt and poverty, and that’s why he turned up here at the West End Food Bank.
Ordinarily, there would be no obvious link between the gleaming football temple of St James’ Park, and a pocket of Newcastle where 3,000 families fall within the most deprived 0.5 per cent in the country.
Head east along Benwell Lane and players earning £30,000-plus a week live in a different world to Michael, in need of £30-a-week food handouts to keep his two kids fed.
But Toon fans have created the unlikely bond. Before three home games, fans have collected food. They’ve mobilised, promoted, cajoled and it’s worked.
The response has been overwhelming: 3.2 tonnes before the Derby match. Next home game, Bristol City, 2.3 tonnes. Last time, before Fulham visited, 2.7 tonnes.
Donations from each home game have kept the food bank running for a week.
That means 750 people, half of them children, get either a food parcel or a hot meal each week.
This is a part of town Hayden’s never seen before, but volunteered to visit to recognise the collections organised by the Newcastle United Supporters’ Trust and promoted by the fanzine True Faith.
He said: “I get my hair cut at the top of the hill on Westgate Road. I’ve never been this side. It is incredible
It’s a special thing the fans have done. They’ve given to people not so fortunate. you humble. You It’s good to be here, keeps the fans, must keep a connection between from players and city. You can drive a mile world St James’ Park and it’s a different
the contrast you see in a mile and a half.”
Mike Nixon (with Hayden below), who runs the food bank, says it is a story of hope, not dependence.
Some 60 per cent of folk who ask for help only need the charity safety net once. Four in 10 have had problems receiving their benefits. Others have got into debt. Nine out of 10 of those helped are on their way again after three visits, and don’t return.
There is a hardcore of 10 per cent who need regular visits. “They get more than a meal. It is social interaction, warmth, out of isolation,” said Nixon.
“It’s a special thing the fans have done,” believes Hayden. “They organise and give to people not so fortunate. It is good to be here because it keeps you humble.
“You have to keep a connection between fans, players and the city. You can drive here a mile from St James’ Park, and it is a different world from the life inside that stadium.
“As a player, you can go to Darras Hall and see the big houses, Jesmond too, and you come out here and it is very different.
“We are in a very privileged position doing what we love. It brings rewards and makes us very lucky. We know there are people less fortunate and we’d like to help.”
One mystery star did help at Christmas, pulling up in his Range Rover, his wife unloaded food and brought in £400 cash.
Hayden said: “Football can be more than football. It can be used to help people. I’d love to hear more ideas. One idea works like this, and it opens up endless possibilities.
“Footballers come from all backgrounds. But we all know life can change quickly. One minute you can be playing at St James’ Park, the next you can get an injury and be finished. Same in any job.
“There are stories here that give hope. It helps people in need, gives them a leg up to get back to their normal lives. I imagine people can feel embarrassed or feel bad to come here but, if you need help, you can reach out and find somewhere comfortable to get it.
“It is people skills here too. If you lose your job, you can lose that. This is a chance to meet others and talk and see others with similar problems.”
Hayden grew up in Essex with parents who gave him “a simple good life, the best start. A quiet area, no bad kids.”
He is only 22 but has opinions on the “divide” between footballers and “everyday people”.
He said: “Footballers tend not to get political, but I know team-mates who’d be interested in this.
“There are a few in the game who want to be flash – big cars, watches. You might see 10 per cent like that. It can paint the wrong picture, before you get to know the person.
“Until you sit down with a team-mate you don’t know what they are like. They can be flashy or arrogant, whatever, but I have found in our dressing room no one is really like that. In this city you have to be as grounded as possible.”
Michael, the former season ticket holder, said: “I used to love going to St James’ Park. To me it never mattered if they won or lost.
“It was just a great escape. I watch for their results now. Rafa the Gaffer is doing the job. I’d love them to go up. I doubt I’ll ever get back in.”
Hayden helped the volunteers shift some food crates as the lunchtime rush subsided.
“I’d better not put my back out!” he said. “We’ve got seven games in April.
“We’ve got the chance to make history. Fans remember players who get you promoted. Who wouldn’t want to be in this position? Eight games to win the league.”
But as Hayden has witnessed, there are heroic efforts being made to lift the city just down the road from St James’ Park too.
newcastlewestend.foodbank.org.uk, nust.org.uk, true-faith.co.uk
Next collection: Opposite Nine bar, Gallowgate End, before Wigan Athletic game, Saturday April 1.