Restaurant boss donates more than 13,000 free meals across Peterborough

Zillur launched his mission to help tackle food poverty across the city in March using his charity the Zi Foundation.

Zillur donated 500 meals across the city to those who were vulnerable and isolating at that time.

After getting a huge reaction to his efforts after they were featured in the Peterborough Telegraph Zillur was determined to help ‘whoever was in need’, whether they were shielding, elderly, self-isolating or just struggling to put food on the table across Peterborough.

He put an appeal out with the PT and his charity has since donated more than 13,250 meals to help residents who were facing food shortages.

Zillur couldn’t believe the response. He said: “It was because of the article,

“We had a lot of calls, emails, messages all asking for support.

“We were inundated and so we began sending more hot meals and packages to people’s houses.

“I even had calls from people outside the city, who were wanting to help relatives who were unable to go out. It felt so good to be able to help them.”

Zillur and the Zi foundation were feeding up to 40 families every week for almost two months and said some of those being supported were in desperate need.

At times of peak demand Zillur was sending out 140 meals in one trip, but the charity now sends around 80 meals a week.

Zilluir has thanked his team and others who have supported the family-run charity, and said he is proud of the ‘great team effort’.

He added: “All my staff have been so helpful, our chef came every day to help prepare the hot meals.

“We’ve had such great support, Chavdar Zhelev, one of our staff has put in a lot of hours helping.

“As well as Rodney Flowers who wanted to contribute something to help us and made a significant donation.”

Coronavirus: Peterborough restaurant owner delivers 500 meals to the most vulnerable