GREATER Anglia customers and staff have donated almost 1,900 worth of meals to help people in crisis this winter through foodbank collections at stations across West Essex and Hertfordshire.

Between 28 October and 18 December, collections took place at Bishops Stortford, Harlow Mill, Harlow Town, Sawbridgeworth, and Stansted Mountfitchet stations. Donations included 831 kilograms of food and much-needed items such as toiletries, nappies, and sanitary products. An additional £205 was raised in cash donations.

Local businesses and organisations also were involved by donating much-needed food and toiletries.

Laura Todd, who works at Essex County Council as a Special Educational Needs and Disability Careers Advisor, and the Carlisle cleaning team who work at a number of Greater Anglia stations, each contributed substantial donations.

Greater Anglia Train Presentation member, Lloyd Griffin, played the electronic piano at Harlow Town and collected £305 for the scheme.

All the donations were then delivered to the Bishops Stortford, Harlow, and Sawbridgeworth foodbanks at the end of December.

The initiative was organised by Greater Anglia’s Michael King, who works as a relief ticket office clerk at Sawbridgeworth and Stansted Mountfitchet.

Michael King, event organiser and Relief Ticket Office Clerk at Sawbridgeworth and Stansted Mountfitchet stations, said: “I would like to thank everyone who has kindly donated to the foodbank appeal. It was a real team effort.

“It makes your heart swell, especially as last year was so difficult for many people – I am always astounded by how much is generously donated.”

The Harlow foodbank is supported by the Trussell Trust.

Sophie Carre, Director of Public Engagement at Trussell, said: Thank you to Greater Anglia for supporting Trussell. Between April and September 2024, food banks in Trussell’s UK-wide community distributed more than 1.4 million emergency food parcels to people facing hardship – this is an increase of 69% over the same period five years ago. More than half a million of these parcels were distributed to children.

“Food bank teams are working tirelessly to help people unable to afford the essentials and thanks to the generosity of supporters like Greater Anglia train company, they can continue to provide vital emergency support in their communities, while we work together to end the need for food banks in the UK. Thank you.”

The initiative began in 2022 when customers and staff donated around 1,000 meals and 500kg worth of food, toiletries, hot water bottles and blankets to foodbanks just before Christmas.