Care home residents pack lunches for school pupils

CARE home residents in Bolton have been helping to pack lunches over half term for children who receive free school meals.

Residents and staff at Lever Edge Care Home, in Great Lever, responded to an appeal to support the town’s pupils over the holiday period.

They got involved in the community led initiative after hearing Angela Baker, from Baker’s Tearooms, on Blackburn Road, Egerton, talk on the radio about supporting those in need.

As one of the organisers, Angela established a fundraising page to help purchase sandwiches, fruit, crisps, and chocolate, which were then assembled into packed lunches before being distributed around Bolton.

Elderly residents at Lever Edge Care Home got involved with the packing before administrator Ruth Pitchford took the bags to a distribution centre.

Ruth said: “We got involved after hearing Angela Baker from Baker’s Tearooms being interviewed in the radio. She was talking about the community pulling together to help the children who would normally get free school meals during term time.

“So we got in touch with Angela to say that the residents would be delighted to help pack the lunch bags. We helped with over 200 in total, packing 50 a day for the half term holidays.”

In total, the appeal raised over £5,500 and saw over 2,500 meals distributed across Bolton, with funds left to support families over the Christmas period.

Angela said: “A huge thank you to everyone involved last week and those who donated money, products and time to support children’s meals in Bolton.

“We had such a fantastic response and they were greatly received by the children and families.”