A LOCAL family-run business has made a "huge" donation to Weston Foodbank.
Following a fundraising raffle, Sandbay's Somerset Signing and Framing Co, owned by Stuart and Marina Turner, filled five large supermarket trollies, donating 374.20kg in weight and then donated the remaining £300 left over to Weston Foodbank.
This is one of the foodbank's largest donations ever received by a local business.
Residents were able to buy raffle tickets on the company's Facebook page, where they won a range of prizes.
This included a hand signed Terminator picture by Arnold Schwarzenegger, a Carl Weathers Rocky display, a 1966 England World Cup Display signed by all 11 players and even Sir Alf Ramsey and England's Ellis Genge's personalised shirt.
Somerset Signing and Framing Co provides hand signed memorabilia from the world’s biggest names in sport, TV and film.
The raffle draw was streamed live on Facebook on December 21.
Speaking further about why they made the donation, Stuart said: “Weston Foodbank seemed like the perfect organisation to help following recent price increases and inflation.
"A few hours before our draw, we received personal videos of support from Spurs and England’s footballer, James Maddison as well as Bristol Bears and England’s Ellis Genge.
"This attracted many more people to start pledging their support, Ellis even donated a personalised signed England shirt at the last minute to be included as a fourth prize which was a wonderful gesture”.
Marina added: “The morning after the draw, we went to Aldi in Worle and filled five trollies with much needed food and supplies.
"We need to make a special mention to Aldi’s Simon and Dan who gave us the first £50 worth of food for free”.
Frederique Wigmore, project manager from Weston Foodbank, said: “We are so grateful for the support we receive from local companies and organisations such as Somerset Signing and Framing Co.
"After eight years in the role, I am always amazed by the creativity of our
supporters and this initiative was a first for us.
"At a time when our services are stretched to the highest level ever, receiving such a huge donation in food and financial support is a tremendous blessing and every raffle ticket purchased will truly make a difference for people in need in our community”.
In 2022, Weston's Foodbank provided emergency food parcels to over 8,518 individuals, marking a 44 per cent increase compared to the previous year.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here