Nine daring volunteers abseiled 90 feet down Coventry Cathedral to raise more than £2,300 for the local foodbank, which had recently faced record-low supplies. The funds provide a vital boost as the charity struggles to meet rising demand.
Foodbank Supplies at Critical Low
Organisers revealed that warehouse stock levels had recently fallen to just two weeks' worth of supplies. The situation prompted urgent community support and fundraising events, which have now secured emergency food supplies until September.
Visitors to the landmark event also enjoyed family activities and free entry to local heritage museums, adding to the day's community spirit.
Charity Leader's Gratitude
Foodbank founder Canon Gavin Kibble MBE said: "It’s been quite a torrid time for us. If you’d walked around the warehouse a few weeks ago we only had enough donations for about two weeks."
"The food supplies are down but the number of people needing food is up and the gap between food coming in and food going out had widened dramatically over the last few months," he added.
"But with the grateful support of so many people in Coventry through food donations and financial support, and events like this abseil, we have been able to bring things back so we are secure now until September and we’re extremely grateful to the people of Coventry for that."
Volunteers Share Their Motivation
Fundraiser Ryan Fisher, who volunteered through his work at Unipart, said: "We’ve done a couple of volunteering events through my work at Unipart and I’ve seen the fantastic work that the foodbank does, especially through the cost of living crisis etc. I heard about the abseil and thought that’s a bit of me! It’s so important. You can see the smiles on people’s faces and how much it means to people."
Participant Leanne Friel, who supports people through her charity work, commented: "We know how important the foodbank is through the people we support at the charity. I was really scared at first but the people really reassured me coming down. It wasn’t the most elegant abseil but I’m proud that I completed it."
Anyone wishing to donate or support the local charity can visit coventry.foodbank.org.uk or email info@coventry.foodbank.org.uk.
