Coronavirus: Villagers in Peterborough area start campaign to help vulnerable residents

In conjunction with Peterborough City Council’s on-going efforts to support communities since the coronavirus outbreak, Bainton & Ashton Parish Council recently launched the Bright Ribbon campaign.

Residents of the two villages donate non-perishable food items by placing them on their doorsteps in shopping bags tied with brightly-coloured ribbon. Within the first week of donations, 170kg of items were collected.

This was then delivered to the Peterborough foodbank where it could be passed on to those in need. Donations are currently being directed towards parent-carer families who have been affected by the current crisis. Local suppliers, Plants Eggs, have offered a sizable donation of fresh eggs towards the scheme.

Cllr Irene Walsh, Peterborough City Council’s cabinet member who helped set up the campaign, said: “We’ve had a fantastic response from residents in the villages who are keen to help those in need. And full credit to the parish council who supported the scheme from the outset.

“We have been getting in touch with other parish councils, some of whom are already running schemes of their own and some who are keen to set up their own Bright Ribbon campaign. In Glinton the Good Neighbours Scheme is promoting the food donation point at the NISA store on the High Street.

“An impressive volunteering scheme is also running in the village, supporting local residents in a variety of ways. All in all, a fantastic contribution from Peterborough’s rural areas.”

Susie Lucas, chair of Bainton and Ashton Parish Council, said: “The immediate response was so generous that we didn’t expect the same volume every week, but anything that people can spare is welcome. It’s been a fantastic effort so far and residents can feel justifiably proud of the help they are providing - they are all stars!”

Ian Plant, from Plants Eggs, added: “This is a great campaign and when we heard about it we wanted to get involved. It’s brilliant to see the local community pulling together.”