SPREADING CHRISTMAS KINDNESS
Hamper surprise for Murray man CHARITY STAR JENNY DOES IT AGAIN
A selfless fundraising superstar proved the spirit of Christmas was alive and well in East Kilbride as she carried out a random act of kindness for a Murray Man in need.
Jenny Cook was so touched by our story about Loaves & Fishes foodbank user David
Flynn’s daily struggle to survive on Universal Credit, that she reached out to help make his Christmas a little bit easier.
And the 16-year-old – a young ambassador for Glasgow Children’s Hospital Charity – did so in memory of her kind-natured friend, Kyle Brenner.
The 14-year-old lost his life to meningitis in 2017 and, last year, on the first anniversary of his death, Jenny decided to pay Kyle’s kindness forward and used the power of social media to track down a generous London cabbie.
Paul Renn had waived her £25 taxi fare after hearing all about her inspirational charity work while battling the inflammatory bowel disease, ulcerative colitis.
After hailing her a real-life superhero, Jenny returned the favour by inviting him to her Red Hot Ball fundraiser.
Now, Jenny has honoured Kyle’s memory for a second year, by delivering a Christmas hamper full of festive treats to Murray man David in his time of need.
We told how the 52-yearold had lost over a stone in weight since having to rely on the local food bank, which he turned to after being placed on Universal Credit.
At one point he was down to just 20p electricity for two days and was scrambling about for help.
David, who suffers from anxiety and depression following the death of his son John, lives alone and admits every day is a struggle just to get up and get out the house.
His stark admission “without the foodbank, I wouldn’t exist” really hit home for kind-hearted Jenny.
She told the News: “David is going through a tough time just now. I read his story in the East Kilbride News the day before the second year anniversary of my friend Kyle’s passing. His story really touched me and I wanted to meet him to offer a random act of kindness in Kyle’s memory.
“I posted an appeal for help on my Tea Jenny Facebook page and lots of people got in touch and donated food and clothes.
“Hopefully this will take the pressure off of him over Christmas and for the next wee while.
Thanking Jenny for showing him such kindness, David said: “It feels like Christmas now.
“Thank you so much to Jenny and everyone that is helping people like myself – not just at this time of year, but throughout.
“It’s really making a difference at a difficult time and I won’t have to visit the food bank over Christmas.”
David reiterated that he is desperately trying to work.
He added: “If I was to ask for just one thing this Christmas, it would be help in finding a job.”
Jenny has raised an incredible £400,000 for a number of charities.