Co-owners pay visit to NUFC Fans Foodbank
NEWCASTLE United co-owners Jamie Reuben and Mehrdad Ghodoussi paid a surprise visit to the NUFC Fans Foodbank in the build-up to last night’s game against Arsenal, writes ANDREW MUSGROVE.
The pair left volunteers delighted as they shook hands and thanked them for their work with the charity. The Reuben Foundation has matched every home donation to the food bank since the takeover was completed in October 2021, and alongside the fans who donate has raised well over £100,000.
That money goes to West End Foodbank and helps to feed those most vulnerable across the city as well as the wider region. Reuben and Ghoudoussi quietly made their way to the food bank stall at Strawberry Corner, both putting money into a volunteer’s bucket as well as taking time to chat and pose for photographs.
Inevitably, they were swamped by supporters who took a little while to realise who was visiting. The pair once against took time for selfies and were thanked several times for taking the club out of the control of Mike Ashley.
It is the second time Reuben has visited the stall, doing so back in November when Newcastle took on Brentford in Eddie Howe’s first home game. Ghodoussi described Reuben as “phenomenal” for his work with the food bank.
Bill Corcoran, one of the volunteers, thanked the pair for visiting. Speaking to The Journal while still collecting donations from fans, he said: “Before the game, we’ve been thanking everyone for their donations over the season and Jamie and Mehrdad have been a huge part of the Newcastle United family.
“This is a Newcastle United family. It is what Mehrdad said very early on, it’s ‘our house, we stick together and look after everyone,’ and that is exactly what the food bank is about.
“It’s about leaving nobody behind, taking care of each other and being united in adversity. I believe these people, these owners, get us, so howay the lads! Thanks for everything this season.”
Reuben and Ghodoussi’s visit finished with a group selfie of several dozen people in front of the food bank stall.