Christmas food donations made to Peterborough families suffering coronavirus hardship

The city-based firm will ensure nearly 10,000 people get fed well over the festive period after donating £80,000 towards hot meals, food vouchers and hampers to the homeless and vulnerable.

The money will be shared between 18 charities, each close to one of BGL’s sites in Peterborough, Sunderland, Wakefield, London and Paris.

These charities will then distribute the food to those most in need, helping to lift the burden for many who are struggling to make ends meet and may otherwise go without.

Among those to benefit is Tanya Smith from Cardea, with the mum of six describing how it is normal for her to skip meals in order to feed her children.

The 37-year-old, who will receive a BGL-funded hamper via the charity Family Voice, said: “I have needed help from foodbanks on and off before the pandemic, but this year has been a real struggle. At the start the shelves were bare, there was no pasta or toilet roll and the baby milk was sold out. Now food seems more and more expensive.

“There are many times that I have been without meals so that my children can eat because there is not enough to go round. That’s quite normal to be honest.

“I’m grateful for the help of charities like Family Voice and businesses like BGL. This enables us to have a Christmas dinner together without having to worry about how we will pay for it.”

Emma Greenwood from Eastfield found herself struggling for money after she was furloughed from her nursery job on 80 per cent pay. She will receive a BGL Christmas hamper via Family Action.

Emma (29), a mum of two, said: “Before coronavirus we didn’t have lots of money but we would get through. Once I was furloughed it became very tricky. On top of that I had to have two weeks off without pay when my child had to self-isolate which is when I sought help.

“The hamper is fantastic and it’s such a nice thing to receive. There must be lots of people like me who are struggling right now.”

In total, BGL is funding 86,150 meals, 145 food vouchers, 295 food hampers and 1,255 food parcels. It is part of an ongoing campaign by BGL to help those hardest hit by coronavirus in local communities. To date, the company has donated £743,000 to 183 charities including more than £45,000 to local foodbanks.

Research from the Trussell Trust predicts an additional 670,000 people will be destitute by the end of 2020, unable to afford essentials such as food and energy. Families with children are expected to be the worst affected.

Claire Virge, sponsorship and CSR Manager at BGL Group, said: “No-one should ever have to go hungry, at any time of year. Sadly, we recognise 2020 has been a very difficult year and many people are facing exceptional hardship as a result of the pandemic which is why we have focused on tackling poverty this winter and supporting the fantastic work of local foodbanks and those charities which ensure people don’t go without basic essentials.”

In a further attempt to spread Christmas cheer, BGL colleagues have also been supporting Cash for Kids’ Mission Christmas toy appeal, taken part in Christmas-themed volunteering opportunities and bought gifts for foodbanks and animal shelters.

With more than 10 million customers, BGL is a leading digital distributor of insurance and household financial services. IT has an office in Orton Southgate and a contact centre at Bretton and is home to brands including comparethemarket.com, LesFurets.com, Beagle Street, Budget Insurance and Dial Direct.