Mason Moore | Hinckley Reporter | 17 February 2021

HINCKLEY RUGBY Club have started donating 500 meals a day for families and children who are in need of them.

The community rugby club, based on Leicester Road in Hinckley, started producing 500 meals a day on Monday 15 February and will continue to do so until Friday 19 February over the course of the half term.

The decision to make the dishes came after ‘careful consideration’ and conversations with their sponsors, and club sponsors have even given them a helping hand in preparing the food, as they are also known for their catering capabilities.

In a statement, a club spokesperson explained: “Although as a club, we have had to deal with our own significant financial setbacks since last March, we couldn’t sit idly by whilst large numbers of children and families were under the pump.”

They further added: “Sometimes it is very easy to focus on your own bubble and miss the fact that people around you are suffering greatly.

“We have tried to lift our eyes and try to do our bit to support our local community.”

Each lunch will be individually packaged and will contain at least five different vegetables.

The five dishes that have been made are: Cottage pie, sausage casserole, pasta bake, beef stew, and chicken casserole.

At the time of publication (17 January), they are being distributed to five agencies locally:

• Hinckley Methodist Church (Albert Road, Hinckley)
• St. Francis Community Centre (Tudor Road, Hinckley)
• Redmoor School (Wykin Road, Hinckley)
• Newlands School (Belle Vue Road, Earl Shilton)
• Heath Lane Academy (Heath Lane, Earl Shilton)

Club sponsors have been thanked for making this become possible, as they have been supportive of Hinckley RFC, and passing on their support to help the local community ‘is a great privilege’.

One of the team’s main sponsors, international delivery firm, DPD donated an extra £1,000. A full list of club sponsors can be found here.

The town’s Borough Council, Hinckley and Bosworth Borough Council, even contributed another £2,000, according to England Rugby.

Sale Sharks star Tuilagi comments

The generous move from the club caught the eye of Hinckley resident and professional Sale Sharks rugby player, Manu Tuilagi, who used to play for Hinckley RFC.

Tuilagi tweeted on his verified Twitter account: “Brilliant work Hinckley Rugby Club for 500 half term meals.

“Some amazing work going on in the kitchen right now. For more information and where to collect a meal from please see the club website!”

Members and volunteers thanked

Rugby club members have been further thanked for their support as ‘they believe in the greater good’.

Club volunteers Lucy Flatters, Netty Alesbrook and Ian Sands are volunteering their time each day to ensure that all food is prepared.

Food was supplied by Hopwells Catering, potatoes were given by Koffman’s Speciality Foods, and Barwell-based chippy Chris’ helped out by slicing and peeling the potatoes – meals were boxed up by Dempac, and Hinckley-based Allsigns worked on the signage.