The Meals from Marlow campaign has raised the sum just 48 hours after launch and has now committed to serving 600 meals a day for the next six weeks. Following on from its early success, it is now hoping to raise more funds to expand the number of meals to 1,000 per day over eight weeks.
Most of the meals will go to frontline NHS workers at nearby hospitals Wexham Park in Slough and Wycombe with other meals going to vulnerable people in Maidenhead, Marlow and surrounding villages. It is hoped that it can take in additional hospitals, including nearby Stoke Mandeville, as more donations come in.
“I know the people of Marlow are a very generous group, but I’m astonished by the speed and the kindness,” says Kerridge.
“People realise that as well as looking after our own neighbours, we need to help the front line in the big hospitals where NHS teams are doing astonishing work. Thank you, Marlow, I’m proud of you.”
Meals from Marlow is a not-for-profit initiative fronted by Kerridge, who runs Marlow-based businesses The Hand & Flowers, The Coach and The Butcher’s Tap, with the support of the Pub in the Park festival team, local entrepreneur Andy Agar, Marlow Town Council, All Saints Marlow and The Link Foundation.
It is being run and staffed voluntarily, with Kerridge providing kitchen facilities and supervision and chefs donating their time and effort to produce the meals daily.
Local organisations and individuals have provided their management services and local businesses and members of the community are paying for food, fuel and equipment.
“It’s a great effort by everyone; thank you for all the donations large and small and for all the hard work, which has enabled us to reach our health care workers and vulnerable residents,” says Town Mayor Richard Scott.
Meals from Marlow has so far raised more than £105,000 towards its £150,000 goal. To make a donation click here.