Aneurin spreads festive cheer with food collection
A SCHOOLBOY has won the hearts of his city neighbours after organising a food collection for families in need.
After his mum, Emma Brute, explained to her son, Aneurin, seven, that some families would struggle for food this Christmas because of the rollout of Universal Credit, he had a simple reply: “I want to help.”
So they decided to write Christmas cards to their neighbours in Cameron Street in Splott, Cardiff, asking for any donations they could take to their local foodbank.
Aneurin wrote: “Please give us some food to help people who don’t have food. Thank you, Aneurin.”
His mum added a note explaining when they would be collecting and a leaflet from their foodbank explaining what they are most in need of.
They delivered the cards on Saturday night. By the time Emma got home there were already two packed bags of donations on her doorstep. The pair then went out in their best Christmas fancy dress with a trolley and their neighbours handed over plenty of donations.
“I have been totally bowled over by the reaction,” she said.
“I work for a social landlord and we’re doing a food collection at work.
“With Universal Credit coming, it’s going to have a major impact on our families and the wider community.
“I was wondering how to take it a step further and I mentioned it to Aneurin and he said, ‘I want to help’.”
She added: “He came up with the idea for the Christmas cards.”
Universal Credit, which is gradually being introduced across the UK in stages, was brought in by the UK government with the claim that it would simplify benefit payments.
But campaigners say the new system, which replaces six means-tested benefits with one single payment, has hit recipients hard, with many forced to turn to foodbanks and increased borrowing to make ends meet.
To find out more about what your local foodbank needs, visit www.cardiff.foodbank.org.uk or call 029 2048 4120.