Portsmouth pub offers up extra special final delivery for vulnerable as volunteer says 'brighter days are coming'

Volunteers have been serving up meals throughout lockdown from The Lady Hamilton in The Hard, helping provide some security and friendship for people isolated from society.

Led by head cook Jeanette Warren, the team pulled together a selection of donated goods to be included with their final meal of cottage pie on Friday.

In the goodie bags were daffodils, fruit, chocolate, a copy of The News, biscuits, teabags, cake, puzzle books and a handwritten letter of positivity from the Year 2 children at Northern Parade Infant School.

Jeanette said deliveries are stopping because 90 per cent of their vulnerable customers have been vaccinated and the pub is in the process of preparing to reopen.

Milton resident Jeanette said: ‘This project was really important to me because there are so many injustices happening in the local community and I can’t sit back and ignore them.

‘We have received some amazing letters of thanks and this has literally made me feel so proud of the whole team. People have talked about gaining weight, making friends and some have said we have been the shining light though the darkest times.

‘I am going to be so sad to say that’s it, it’s done. But on the other hand I know that this being the end means brighter days are coming and there is a light at the end of the tunnel.

‘From this project I have found faith in humanity. Portsmouth is an amazing city and it warms my heart to know that to people their community really does matter.’

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Throughout the project, more than 13,000 meals have been delivered to the vulnerable, including 5,000 during the third lockdown.

This has been a collaborative effort, with funding from Pompey in the Community and volunteer drivers from Richmond Motor Group helping deliver meals.

Jeanette said she has so many people to thank, including 17-year-old volunteer Sam Howell, Bransbury Park Butchers for their donations and Mr and Mrs Lim who own The Lady Hamilton.

She has also given thanks to her mum Jacky Morgon and fellow volunteer Summer Millard, as well as the team from VSR Scaffolding for their donations, and The News for continuing to spread the word about their work.

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The News offered up copies of Friday’s paper at a discounted price to be distributed to each of the clients with the final meal.

Mark Waldron, editor of The News, said: ‘We have spent the last 12 months admiring so many people who have gone above and beyond to look after the most vulnerable in our communities - and Jeanette and her team at the Lady Hamilton is a magnificent example of this.

‘We have enjoyed bringing these stories to life in The News to share with all our readers as part of our commitment to keep people informed, connected and entertained during the pandemic.

‘So we thought it was a perfect match to be part of Jeanette's farewell care package.’

A message from the Editor, Mark Waldron

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