The Rapid Relief Team, a charitable organisation comprised of volunteers from the Plymouth Brethren Christian Church based in Bramcote, finished 2020 by supporting frontline workers at a serious flooding incident in the Nene Valley.
On Christmas Eve, the charity’s team in Nottingham supported rescue workers at the Billing Aquadrome flooding incident in the Nene Valley, providing over 100 meals for frontline staff who arrived at the incident. In September, the Nottingham team also provided support to firefighters who were battling a large recycling centre fire in the Lady Bay area of Nottingham.
In December, the Nottingham team donated 17 family food boxes to RISE Learning Zone also based in Bramcote, which is a small education organisation with a passion for and commitment to learning for some of the most disadvantaged young people in Nottingham. The charity supports a vast array of organisations, from homelessness charities to academy trusts and local councils.
Covid-19 has been a difficult time for many, but it is the vulnerable who have felt the most severe brunt of the disease. Sadly, children have been particularly affected. Figures show that there are 4.5 million children living in poverty in the UK, with children remaining one of the most frequent users of foodbanks. During the first six months of the Covid-19 crisis, 2,600 emergency food parcels were given to children every day.
In response to this burgeoning food poverty crisis, the Rapid Relief Team, made up of volunteers from the Plymouth Brethren Christian Church, sprang into action, even developing their own app which allows food parcels to be delivered to vulnerable families in a totally Covid-secure manner.
Rod Buckley, Director at the Rapid Relief Team UK, said: “2020 was an extraordinarily busy year for the Rapid Relief Team, and we are proud of everything our volunteers have done to support those in need, as well as our frontline workers. However, our work is not over yet.”
“This year will be an extremely difficult one as we await the roll out of the vaccine, particularly for those who are vulnerable. We are committed to ensuring that our team can help as many people through this period as possible.”