Warwick-based charity teams up with primary school to deliver care packages

A Warwick-based charity teamed with a primary school to help deliver care packages.

Evelyn’s Gift worked with Coten End Primary School’s Parent Support Advisor, Niki Tolley, to put together 20 food and toiletry packs for children.

Each pack contained suggestions for lunches for half term week, with plenty of basic food items, fresh fruit and vegetables.

Each pack also contained a set of essential toiletry items such as hand wash, toothpaste, shower gel and toothbrushes for every member of the household, most of which were from In Kind Direct, an organisation that delivers products for a minimal handling charge if they are used for charitable purposes.

The current social distancing rules meant that shopping on this scale had to be a team effort, with packs assembled outside in the garden.

Trustees Helen and Trevor Smith, Tracy Kewley and Donna Arnold-Kelly, worked with Niki Tolley to shop, assemble and deliver the packs to families.

The Covid-19 pandemic has meant that some families have suddenly found themselves in financial difficulty for many different reasons, including an unexpected reduction in household income, and not everyone is able to access a foodbank easily.

Since the lockdown began, Evelyn’s Gift has worked with several schools, social workers and the Covid-19 Mutual Aid Group to reach people in need.

Evelyn’s Gift was set up in memory of seven-year-old Evelyn Smith by her mum, Helen, to do acts of kindness in her memory.

Helen said: “The Coten End School community has been highly supportive of our family ever since Evelyn died in 2013 and we are very pleased that we have been able to provide these packs for people that do not have access to other forms of support during the pandemic crisis.

"We are extremely grateful to everyone that has donated to our charity so that we can continue our work throughout this crisis.

Family Support Advisor Niki Tolley said: “Some families are finding themselves in completely unusual and difficult financial circumstances due to COVID.

"Receiving a pack from Evelyn's Gift has made such a difference and has lessened the stress of parents and carers having to worry about how to provide food for their children.

"We are so grateful for a local charity to be able to step in to help our community.

"We appreciate the time, effort and thought that goes into every offer of support.”

Head teacher at Coten End, Sarah Sheepy, said: “We are delighted to continue our close and special association with Evelyn's Gift during these most difficult circumstances.

"Some of the most vulnerable families within our Coten End community have benefited greatly from the charity's support and it stands the children in good stead for their return to school very soon.”