In these difficult times, the Royal Navy and Royal Marines Charity (RNRMC) has been proud to join forces with corporate supporter ESS Defence to support some of our most deserving Naval Service beneficiaries. Being experts in food service and distribution, ESS put together a package of sought-after staples and other foodstuffs that isolating Naval families and veterans have been struggling to source for themselves, either because they are unable to leave the house or because of a surge in public purchasing.
The 500 food boxes have been especially well-received by the partner charities working alongside the RNRMC, given the pressures on pre-existing emergency food provision services such as food banks and community kitchens. Indeed, some of these services have had to close due to infection risks and a marked drop in food donations which is having a material effect on their capacity to operate.
The food parcels were distributed to naval beneficiaries being supported by KIDS Charity, Alabaré, Agamemnon Housing Association, Sailors’ Childrens Society and the Stonepillow Homeless Charity and really did put smiles on the faces of all who received them.
One surprised recipient said: “We would like to say a heartfelt thank you for our Essential Hamper which came to us through Kids Solent Young Carers Club. We were overwhelmed how much was in it. I'm in isolation due to my liver disease which was caused by diabetes. My disease came from blood loss from a miscarriage just before my daughter was born. Being an older single mum is hard enough, but to have to stop my part time job due to COVID- 19 and having a 10-year-old I was so stressed. Your hamper was a life saver as trying to get delivery of food is not happening. Thank you all.”
Mark Webster, Managing Director of ESS Defence, Government, Offshore & Remote, commented, “As a gold bridge partner with RNRMC, we pledged to collaborate with them on their charitable endeavours and in turn support the broader Naval community. We are delighted to have been able to work so closely with them, not only by donating the essential food packages and assisting with their packing and distribution but also by supporting the RNRMC to obtain the bespoke contents of the care packages for the well deserving medics. We look forward to strengthening our partnership with RNRMC.”
Adrian Bell, Chief Executive of the RNRMC, commented: “One of the consequences of social isolation is that people vanish. We have been very concerned that some of those in the naval veteran community and among naval families most in need, have had to face new risks during social isolation of physically being unable to access food. Through the expertise and generosity of our friends at ESS and several of the partner charities we work with, we have been able to make these deliveries and let these people know that they are not forgotten and are uppermost in our thoughts.”
