Lord Edward Stanley, the son of the 19th Earl of Derby, is cycling from Canterbury to Paris this summer to raise awareness and money for the Knowsley Foodbank (part of the Trussell Trust).
Having volunteered for the foodbank in the warehouse previously he was provoked and inspired to do what he can to help out.
Lord Stanley said “We have planned the routes ourselves and have not had the type of support of larger charity organised rides with direction markers – hopefully our map reading will be up to it!”
Knowsley foodbank, part of the Big Help Project (www.big-help.info), is supported by the Knowsley Metropolitan Borough Council and the Liverpool Mayor’s Hope fund. Working with local churches and more than 100 wonderful volunteers Knowsley Foodbank operates nine centres across the borough, distributing more than 50 tonnes of food to ~8000 people in the last year. Alongside this provision the Big Help Project offers free Debt advice and a Next Steps back to work program to help people take control of their finances and work situation.
Lord Stanley has timed his efforts to raise funds for the Foodbank over the summer period, stating that this is “a very busy time seeing as children no longer have school meals, and so greater demands are put on their parents to provide food.”
Foodbank Manager Sue Torpey said “We wish Ed and his friends all the best on their journey! We hope they have a great time, don’t get lost and raise lots of money for the Foodbank. We look forward to seeing him working as a volunteer with us again later in the summer”
If you would like more information about the Foodbank and/or the Big Help Project, would like to know how to support it or get involved visit the website http://www.big-help.info/. To donate towards Ed’s cycle challenge please go to: http://www.big-help.info/index.php/2-uncategorised/50-edward-s-ride
