Chippy to the rescue!
FISH BAR HERO JUMPS IN TO FEED PUPILS FOR FREE AFTER COVID CASE SHUTS SCHOOL KITCHEN
THE boss of a village fish and chip shop is hoping to “spread a bit of positivity” by providing a school with meals after its kitchen was forced to close.
Just one day into the new half term, the kitchen at St Peter’s Cofe Junior School in Ruddington had to shut after a staff member tested positive for Covid-19.
But head teacher, Michael Bradley, said the community had rallied.
He told the Post: “I think Ruddington has been really inspired to take action and many have been taking stock of what’s really important.
“The Ruddington Fish Bar came forward and offered to provide free meals to the children, so they could have some hot food during the next two weeks (while the kitchen is closed).
“We thought it might be a bit much for every day, but have agreed on the next two Fridays with children being asked to bring packed lunches on the other days. So far we have had an uptake of 300 pupils!”
Mr Bradley explained that chip shop owner Demetrios Lawton, had been instrumental in getting village businesses to take part in the Marcus Rashford campaign for free school meals during half term.
“He has been really generous and has not asked for anything in return,” Mr Bradley added.
“Amid all the doom and gloom, this sort of thing really shines through and gives you hope that out of this crisis, some good will come.”
The school itself remains fully open with no other staff or children affected by the outbreak.
Mr Lawton, who runs the Church Street chippy, has four children of his own and says he knows the implications of the closed kitchen could be “devastating”.
He added: “I know that during the holidays, the children’s faces light up when you say we’re having chips, and with so much negativity around I just thought, why don’t we jump in? That look we get, it may be just a little bit of positivity but it’s going to spread.”
Mr Lawton said since the word got out, he has been “inundated with messages” from people wanting to contribute or offer to pay him.
“You can’t put a price on giving kids something to look forward to,” he added. And for families, we know that having to make up packed lunches can be hard work and expensive.”
To offer home delivery during lockdown and for the school lunches, the fish bar has teamed up with local taxi firm Southbank Cars.
For those wanting to contribute money to the cause, Mr Lawton has asked if it can be instead diverted straight to the school.
“I’m happy for them to take it forward for something else,” he said.
It’s amazing really, with everything going on, we’ve all never been so far apart but felt so close together.”