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Aldi to donate more than half a million meals to feed struggling families this Christmas
What a brilliant gesture!
Aldi has been donating unsold food to charity over the past few festive seasons and this year they’re doing the same, but with even more donations than usual.
While usually they donate any unsold food to charity after closing stores on December 24th, this year Aldi will for the first time also donate leftover food after its shuts on December 31st.
All of its stores will remain closed on New Year’s Day to give staff a well-earned break, in which they can spend more time with loved ones.
Michael Ely / Geograph
As a result, the supermarket says it expects to donate a further 200,000 meals throughout the UK, which will make a huge difference to hungry families up and down the country.
Last Christmas Aldi donated around 450,000 meals to various good causes throughout the UK, meaning this year they’ll be dishing out about 650,000 meals to those who need them.
Aldi has also pledged that for every turkey and turkey crown it sells before Christmas, it will donate £1 to the Neighbourly Foundation – a gesture which is expected to raise more than £400,000.
The supermarket is also launching a Community Cupboard initiative this year, again partnering with Neighbourly, which will see it prioritise donations to local community groups that focus on feeding children over the Christmas, February and Easter school breaks.
David Clark / Geograph
Luke Peech, Aldi UK’s managing director of corporate responsibility, said: “Access to fresh, affordable food should be a right, not a privilege, which is why we’re doing what we can to help those in need.
“Tackling food poverty is an issue that the country and our store colleagues are really behind, so it’s great to be extending our programme – particularly over the festive period and upcoming school holidays.”
Neighbourly’s Steve Butterworth added: “Aldi already donates more than 650,000 meals a month across the UK but is stepping this up over Christmas and New Year.
“The festive season is usually busy for the region’s charities and food banks, but this year even more so, so the donations will definitely be welcomed.”
Coronation Street legend Julie Goodyear, who played Bet Lynch, has been diagnosed with dementia, her husband has revealed.
The 81-year-old who played the iconic pub landlady of the Rovers Return on the show sought medical advice after ‘suffering forgetfulness’ but there was now ‘no hope of a reversal in the situation’, her husband Scott Brand said.
He shared news of her diagnosis in a statement, writing: “My darling wife and I have had to come to terms with this heart-breaking diagnosis.
“Unfortunately, Julie has been suffering forgetfulness for some time and we have been seeking medical advice and assistance, but we now know that there is no hope of a reversal in the situation — and that her condition will get progressively, and perhaps speedily, worse.
“We have taken the decision to publicly announce the diagnosis as Julie still loves visiting friends and eating out.
“Inevitably she is recognised, and fans love to meet her – and she them – but she can get confused particularly if she is tired. I hope people will understand.”
Goodyear played the leopard-skin-wearing, big-haired barmaid on the cobbles from 1966 to 2003.
Thanks to Goodyear, Bet Lynch became one of the ITV soap opera’s longest-serving and best-loved characters.
The iconic actress also appeared on reality shows such as Celebrity Big Brother and Celebrity Fit Club.
News
Tragedy as police find body of missing man last seen leaving pub
Police have confirmed the body as being Christopher
Police have confirmed a body has been tragically found in the search for a missing man in Marple.
Christopher Barlow, 31, was last seen shortly after 1am on Sunday, June 4th after leaving the Royal Oak pub in Mellor, Stockport.
He was last sighted turning left to walk along Brabyns Brow from Town Street.
Police officers and specialist teams searched a specific area beside the Peak Forest and remained at the scene after the tragic discovery on Tuesday, June 6th.
Greater Manchester Police have confirmed the body as being Christopher, and his family have been informed. A report is currently being prepared for the Coroner’s Office.
Detective Superintendent Helen Critchley, of GMP’s Stockport district, said: “Firstly, our thoughts are with Chris’s family and friends at this very distressing time.
“I would also like to thank the local community for their support with the search and the wider public for their assistance in sharing our appeal.”
According to The Manchester Evening News, on Monday evening (June 5th) the water search and marine unit, as well as a number of police vehicles and detectives were at the scene.
A large section of the canal was closed off to boats the next day as the search for Christopher continued.
Canal towpaths were also taped off as divers went into the water and officers searched nearby woodland.
News
Man to complete visiting every Wetherspoon pub in Britain and Ireland this week
Now he only has one final pub left to visit
A man will complete his visit to every Wetherspoon pub in Britain and Ireland this week as he sips his final pint to conclude his mission.
Most people like to see how far they can make it in a pub crawl but David Bingham, 60, decided to take it much further than that.
The Derbyshire man, who set out on the task in 2019, will conclude his journey of sipping a pint at all 875 Wetherspoon venues this week, including the 40 that have closed.
Now he only has one final pub left to visit, and he’s booked a flight at the South Terminal in Gatwick Airport in order to tick it off his long list.
The last of the boozers will be The Flying Horse, which is conveniently located right after security at the airport. Wetherspoons has praised his dedication.
Mr Bingham, from West Hallam, has said his other passions are trainspotting and following Burton Albion. He took on the challenge while also pursuing his other hobbies. Mr Bingham told the BBC: “If we were going somewhere new, I’d suss out the Wetherspoons.”
His partner Una Cooper bought him a directory of the pubs and he began ticking them off. “I’ve had a drink in most pubs, I’d say 85%,” he said.
“I’m a lager lad, definitely. The one in Ramsgate [in the Royal Victoria Pavilion] is my favourite because the history behind that building is incredible.
“But there are five police stations, there are churches, there’s chapels, there’s a tram depot, there’s a fire station.
“They just save these fantastic buildings. I love architecture and I love buildings. It’s a history lesson.”
Wetherspoon spokesman, Eddie Gershon, said: “We applaud David Bingham on his outstanding achievement.
“Many people love to visit Wetherspoon pubs across the UK and Ireland, but only a handful have visited each and every one. David will now join that select group.
“He has obviously put in a lot of time and effort into achieving his goal and we thank him for his dedication to our pubs.”
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