Food Bank Run from Torbay Tri Club

Torbay Tri Club members have been going the extra mile in support of the Paignton Community Larder, having recently organised a food bank run.

Putting their best running foot forward, members set out for their usual Tuesday night run and transported their donations to the charity headquarters, located at Southfield Christian Centre, where they were welcomed by volunteers from Paignton Community Larder.

Founded in 2017, The Paignton Community Larder provides an essential service to the Paignton community and hands out food parcels to those families and individuals suffering from poverty and crisis situations.

The food bank welcomes food donations enabling them to continue their vital work in helping others. Non-perishable items are especially welcome, including tinned meat, custard, noodles, tinned fruit, squash, fruit juice, sugar, shampoo and shower gel.

The winter food bank run follows the success of a previous one arranged by Torbay Tri Club earlier this year.

Andy Bichard, Manager of Paignton Community Larder, said: “Last year Paignton Community Larder provided food provision equating to just over 114,000 meals to struggling families and individuals across Paignton and Torbay.

“Every year we are seeing more and more need come to our food bank and community supermarket, over double the demand since 2020. Every single donation enables us to support those suffering food poverty and make a positive difference in their lives.

“Contributions from local groups like Torbay Tri Club are always so greatly appreciated and it’s wonderful to see the effort they have gone to support us and raise awareness of the charity.”

Katie Potter, Torbay Tri Club Chair, added: “Supporting the local community is at the heart of our club and we are always looking at ways in which we can get involved.

“Having previously organised a Food Bank Run earlier this year, our members were keen to arrange another and particularly during the winter season.

“The run was hugely supported and left our members feeling they had contributed to such a deserving local charity, supporting people in genuine need.”

For further information about The Paignton Community Larder, contact: communitylarder@outlook.com

Torbay Tri Club's very own St. Nicholas made a special festive appearance in Buckingham this weekend at the Santa Dash. Supporting the Florence Nightingale Hospice Charity, Nick Cull was full of Christmas spirit as he joined hundreds of Santa's in the charity 5k and earned a mince pie for his efforts.

Lining up amongst over 28,000 runners from across the world, Steve Waters kick-started his marathon season with a rather enjoyable and fun race day in Valencia, crossing the line with a strong finish time of 3.10.29

A team of six club members slid their way around the latest round of cross-country action in Exeter. Jon Parkinson, Tim Watson, Naomi Flanagan, Dave Brown, Samara Taylor and Wendy Urban represented the club and enjoyed lots of muddy race action.

Storm Bert failed to deter a team of hardy Torbay Tri Club runners as they took to Torbay Velopark for the latest round of the club's Parkrun series.

Nearly 30 club members brightened the grey conditions with a colourful display of orange blasting their way around the Velopark. With just one race left in the series, the champions will be crowned under floodlights with Debbie Burman Cathy Parkinson and Jo Coish currently leading the tables.

Also on 5k running duty, Sue Hayes faced weather of an all-together different nature with a temperature of 30 degrees in Lanzarote.