Brandon couple Jamie and Harriet Ashton launch scheme delivering food to people in need
A husband and wife team have had an overwhelming response to their scheme delivering fresh fruit and vegetables to people in need from their campervan.
Jamie and Harriet Ashton started their delivery service on Monday after relocating to Brandon, from Enfield, North London, in June.
The pair run the Zebras Children and Adults charity, which helps support children and adults with learning difficulties.
The charity was spurred on by their own challenges, with Jamie, Harriet and their son, Josh, themselves all dealing with additional needs.
"We have had an overwhelming response," said Jamie.
"We actually were in Enfield and we have still got our services going on there. Us ourselves have relocated, hence why we have been desperate to get our services started here as well.
"It is fresh fruit and vegetables delivered free of charge to vulnerable families with disabilities. They get a free bag each week delivered to their door, but we use the campervan to bag it all up."
The pair decided to use the campervan after they realised how little they used it in their day-to-day life.
Deliveries are large enough to last a family 10 to 12 weeks, and run in cycles.
Jamie started the scheme, named the Food for Families project, in response to the Covid pandemic, in order to help people who were struggling during lockdown.
Now on their seventh cycle in Enfield, they are looking to replicate its success in Brandon and the surrounding area - starting with an initial 25 families.
He added: "It was a nice feeling to get back out there. It has just been amazing.
"What we have done in Enfield we want to bring to Brandon, that's the idea. And we know there is a need for it around here, what with the cost-of-living crisis.
"At the moment it is just me and Harriet doing it, but we are hoping that we can get a couple of volunteers to help do a couple of drops."
Anyone who may be able to volunteer or is need of support should contact zebrascacharity@outlook.com.
