Paisley Daily Express

Funding boost and volunteers keep the Food Train running

Support for lifeline service to help the elderly

- CARLA TALBOT

A Renfrews h i re organisati­on that delivers food to vulnerable people in the community has boosted its vital service thanks to extra funding and help from volunteers.

Food Train has increased its weekly deliveries of food and grocery supplies to frail, disabled and vulnerable older people in self isolation during the coronaviru­s outbreak.

The charity has been able to do this with the help of SP Energy Networks and hundreds of extra volunteers from across the local authority.

Thanks to funding of more than £ 450,000 from SP Energy Networks’ Green Economy Fund for nine new state- of- the- art electric vehicles, Food Train has been able to expand to new regions at a time when it is particular­ly difficult for older vulnerable people to access shopping services.

With older people across Renfrewshi­re going into lockdown for many weeks, the charity has an unpreceden­ted number of elderly people asking for help or being referred for food deliveries.

The Scottish Government has now defined its volunteers as key workers providing an essential service, allowing Food Train to recruit hundreds of new volunteers across Scotland to help thousands of older people.

Food Train is extending its support to other local authority areas via its Food Train Connects service.

The new service, which matches older people requiring a helping hand with a volunteer living nearby and willing to provide regular support, is now available and requires the support of even more volunteers across Renfrewshi­re.

Michelle Carruthers, chief executive of Food Train, said: “We’ve been overwhelme­d by the generosity of our volunteers and supporters across Renfrewshi­re who have stepped up to protect the most vulnerable people in our communitie­s throughout this crisis.

“We’re delighted to have the support from SP Energy Networks to expand and sustain our services and are pleased we are able to make available our new Food Train Connects service.

“Any help you can give to help us continue responding effectivel­y would be hugely appreciate­d.

“Donations can be made at justgiving. com/ campaign/FoodTrain”

Frank Mitchell, CEO at SP Energy Networks, added: “People across Renfrewshi­re are doing extraordin­ary things to help the most vulnerable in their community during the coronaviru­s outbreak.

“We’re proud to support Food Train and will be continuing to do what we can to assist the outstandin­g work of its volunteers across Scotland.”

Further informatio­n on Food Train services and how to sign up as a volunteer is available at www. thefoodtra­in. co. uk and by emailing shopping@ thefoodtra­in.co.uk

We’ve been overwhelme­d by the generosity of our volunteers and supporters

 ??  ?? Making a difference Vital service Food Train celebrated its fifth birthday in 2018
Making a difference Vital service Food Train celebrated its fifth birthday in 2018
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