Jamie Carragher steps up to support Carr Meadow Hey Food Club after burglars ‘trashed’ the shop

Liverpool FC legend Jamie Carragher stepped up to support his local community today, when he presented a cheque for £750 to the Carr Meadow Hey Food Club and Community Shop, to pay for repairs and replacement stock after the shop was burgled and ‘trashed’ last weekend.

The Big Help Project, which operates the Food Club and Community Shop at Carr Meadow Hey and at other sites across the city region, was left facing a repair bill after the break-in on Sunday morning (24th February). Cash and stock were stolen and fixtures and fittings damaged, leaving the Food Club facing an estimated bill of over £700 for repairs and to restock the shelves.

After reading about the incident, Jamie was moved to donate the full cost of repairs to the premises, and restocking for the Food Club, which serves people in the community in Bootle where he grew up.

Jamie said:” I was made up to be able to help out, and make sure that the Food Club and Community Shop opened as usual this week.”

Peter Mitchell, executive chair of the Big Help Project, said “We want to say a big ‘thank you’ to everyone from across the community who have supported and helped us since the news of this incident broke on Sunday. Our staff, volunteers and community partners have worked tirelessly to clear up the mess so that the Food Club could open as normal on Wednesday. Jamie’s generous donation means we can complete vital repairs and fully replace the stolen food and come back better than ever for the people of Carr Meadow Hey.”

Carr Meadow Hey Food Club is one of several Food Clubs across the city region that sells quality food, sourced from FareShare, at affordable prices. Membership is from £2.88 per week and gives members access to a weekly shop with a retail value of £15-£20, including fresh, chilled and frozen food, as well as store cupboard essentials. More information about Food Clubs, including locations and membership enquiries, is available on the website www.big-help.info or by Big Help Project on 0151 482 6089