Boost for Loaves and Fishes foodbank
Speaker raises cash for EK charity during hike
An East Kilbride foodbank has received a welcome boost to its funds and supplies at a rally in Glasgow.
Denis Curran, who runs Kelvin-based Loaves and Fishes, accepted the donation at an event to mark the second anniversary of the Scottish Independence referendum at the weekend.
He received a donation of £2000 as well as much-needed food and toiletries which will help people reliant on the foodbank service provided by Loaves and Fishes.
The cash was raised by 23-year-old Sarah Johnson when she embarked on a near 500 mile walk from London to Glasgow, after she was invited to speak at the event.
Sarah set up a G0Fundme page which raised £3725.
The remainder of the funds was shared among other food banks.
Sarah and her sister Sophie won a “Margo” award as rising stars from Edinburgh Women for Independence, who set up the awards in memory of MSP Margo MacDonald.
East Kilbride bands Skaledonia and Fastlayne were among those who played at the event in George Square.
Event organiser, local activist and youth group leader John Park said: “Sarah is an inspiration to many, especially young people.
“When we first contacted her to invite her to speak at the event she was in Holland with friends and was disappointed she wouldn’t be able to make it.
“Then two days later she got back in touch to say she was in London.
“She had woken the next morning and thought to herself ‘I have to be there’.
“She packed and left Holland immediately and on the journey to London, came up with the idea of raising money for food banks by walking and hiking to Glasgow, in time to speak at the event.
“It was a very emotional moment when she came off stage after handing a cheque to Denis.
“I have known Denis for over 30 years and his selfless work and dedication to helping and supporting those less fortunate is second to none.
“People, and especially children, going hungry in the 21st century is a sad indictment of the society and system we live in and Denis, like me, would like to see an end to the need for food banks in this country, which is possible if the politicians changed their priorities.”
Denis also thanked Sarah for her kind donation, which he said would be put to good use to help families struggling to get by in East Kilbride.