Mayor Attends ‘Big Love’ Fundraising Event in Aid of Foodbank

The Town Mayor, Cllr Paul Holbrook, visited the Chandlers Hailsham showroom on Saturday [20 August], following his attendance at the MINI Big Love partnership held last weekend. The event was held in support of both Hailsham and Eastbourne Foodbanks.

Steve Packer, MINI Brand Manager at Chandlers Hailsham commented: “The motor trade is a challenging place at present. Vehicle supply issues due to global semi-conductor shortages, component manufacture disrupted by the war in Ukraine, increasing used car prices, and this is all before we get onto energy prices. If this is affecting our industry, what is happening in others? And to wider communities, or those who found themselves in less fortunate circumstances?”

The team at Chandlers MINI were keen to put something back into the local community, some having personally witnessed the struggle that some families are now under to put food on the table, let alone purchase a new car. This coincided with MINI UKs national ‘Big Love’ campaign. “Big Love is a powerful inspiration to do better, to create a brighter future for all of us and the planet too.” (MINI UK, 2022).

“Chanders Hailsham chose to support both Hailsham and Eastbourne Foodbanks by encouraging donations from our customers and those in the local area. In the lead up to our launch event on 20 August, we had already set our stall out. We had a vehicle sign written for the showroom to house the donations, had graphics placed on the showroom windows, and service booking reminders had been changed to include the Foodbank message. The whole team were overwhelmed by the support from customers and staff.”

“Jollyes Petfood Superstore in Diplocks Way also kindly donated a trolley full of pet food and toys. In these times of need we can’t forget our furry friends!”

“All in all we believe the event was a success, and we will continue to display the signage promoting the Foodbank partnership. We’d urge anyone in the local area, businesses included, to support this cause and are happy to take in donations on the Foodbanks behalf.”

Mayor Cllr Paul Holbrook said: “The work that Chandlers Hailsham is doing to encourage donations to the local foodbank is fantastic. If everybody pulls together during these challenging times, we can make society a better place for us all. Many people have not eaten a proper meal for several days, many are working in jobs but running out of money towards the end of the month because of the energy crisis and the fact that they are struggling to pay some bills.”

“Staff and customers of Chandlers Hailsham continue to work together to raise the funds for both Hailsham and Eastbourne Foodbanks, to help towards the provision of emergency support for families and individuals who are struggling due to increasing fuel and food prices.”

Cllr Holbrook added: “I was pleased to be invited to be part of Chandlers Hailsham’s event on Saturday, and I’m sure that their fundraising efforts will further help our foodbanks in continuing their amazing job in reaching out to those in need.”

Hailsham and Eastbourne Foodbanks are part of a nationwide network of foodbanks (supported by The Trussell Trust), working to combat poverty and hunger across the UK, and is a project founded by the Crosslink Trust – churches together in Hailsham – working towards stopping hunger in the local area.

The foodbank relies entirely on donations of food and money for the provision of food parcels to local people in crisis in exchange for vouchers provided by front-line care professionals, such as health visitors, social workers, church leaders, and community workers.