School staff deliver food parcels to families in need across South London

Families have called a school in tears over how to feed their children during the coronavirus lockdown.

So staff from Newlands Academy in Stuart Road, Peckham Rye have decided to deliver more than 20 food parcels to their most vulnerable families across South London.

The effort came after the team at the school were told their most vulnerable families would be unable to go shopping as usual due to their self-isolation procedures.

Parents told them they were at serious risk of running out of food – and some were on the phone in tears worrying about how to feed their children.

Catering manager Barbara Smith immediately ordered extra food to the school so she could organise substantial food parcels for these families.

She said: “It’s unimaginable to think that our children should go without food at this difficult time.”

Staff took the parcels across South London, visiting families from Waterloo to Surrey Quays, Tulse Hill and Croydon, to offer some vital help for the families who desperately needed it.

They left school at 10.30am on Tuesday and spent the day driving around the streets of South London to find the homes of the families – and did not return until 9.30pm that night.

Gareth Howells, principal of Newlands Academy, said: “I was overwhelmed by the remarkable commitment and dedication of the school team to react so quickly to support our pupils and their families and make sure that the food parcels were delivered.

“This is an incredibly challenging time for everyone and I am proud that Newlands Academy could help in this small way.”

Top: Staff delivered the food parcels across South London this week