GENEROUS donations have been delivered to food banks, animal rescue centres, schools and nurseries this week (Monday 30 March) in an initiative to help support communities during the COVID-19 crisis.
North Notts BID has partnered with essential hardware and household, pet food, and home maintenance retailer Wilko to deliver a selection of supplies to community groups across North Nottinghamshire, including Bassetlaw Community and Voluntary Service.
The essential supplies – which included food, gardening tools, cleaning products and toiletries – have been primarily distributed to isolated and vulnerable families who require extra support during these challenging times.
Sally Gillborn, chief executive at North Notts BID, said: “It’s really important that we offer support to local community projects during this difficult period. We’re so grateful that Wilko was able to donate some additional provisions that will make a big difference to the community groups and the families that receive them.”
The initiative also saw 1,092 Easter eggs distributed to local schools and nurseries that are looking after the children of key workers as a thank you to those currently working on the front line.
Sally continued: “A little bit of kindness in the current climate goes a long way. We hope that these additional supplies will help to improve the lives of local families and allow us to show our gratitude to key workers who are putting themselves at risk to protect the rest of the community.”
Pet supplies were also donated to Babworth Animal Rescue Kennels, which have seen a rise in the number of abandoned animals since the pandemic hit.
Jerome Saint-Marc, CEO at Wilko, said: “Right now, our Wilko stores remain open for customers and our loyal and hard-working team members are doing their very best to make sure families across the UK have access to the household essentials they need despite the difficult circumstances.
“We know that the current crisis means that vital key workers and some of the most vulnerable individuals in the area surrounding our Manton Wood Support Centre and Distribution Centre need some extra help. We’re just grateful that we can continue to support these fantastic local causes with the help of BID and to have played a part to help. This is just one of many projects we’re activating to support customers, our team members and communities during the COVID-19 crisis and beyond.”
Wilko partners with 80 BIDs across the UK and, as headline sponsor, worked closely with North Notts BID during last year’s Great British Spring Clean run by Keep Britain Tidy – the country’s biggest mass action environmental and litter picking campaign.
To find out more about North Notts BID, visit northnottsbid.co.uk.
