The founder of a charity which has helped thousands of people in Epping Forest during the pandemic has been reflecting on its achievements as he prepares for a challenging walk to celebrate the organisation’s first anniversary.

Since it was launched at Waltham Abbey Town Hall on June 29, 2020, 3food4u has grown to become the largest emergency food agency in the Epping Forest district.

Founder and chair of trustees Pesh Kapasiawala will be hiking The Perambulation on Saturday to mark its first birthday and help raise much-needed money.

This 30-mile self-navigation in Exmoor National Park dates back more than 700 years and is regarded as one of the most challenging hikes in the area’s annual calendar.

To support Pesh and 3food4u, visit his fundraising page at https://www.stewardship.org.uk/pages/3food4u_ExmoorChallenge

Reflecting on the past year, Pesh said: “We really can't believe what we've all achieved as a community. From just an ethos and vision, we're the largest emergency food agency in Epping Forest district. We support families in the district and beyond five weekdays a week, 52 weeks in the year.

“We have been a vital lifeline to 10,000s of individuals and families, and without our army of tireless, compassionate volunteers none of this would have been possible.

“We’ve collected and rescued over 120 tonnes of surplus food and clothing, while thousands of people go hungry each day, safe, healthy, and usable food and clothing is being disposed of.

“As a community surplus hub and food charity, we collect this nutritious surplus food from all segments of the food industry including restaurants, grocers, manufacturers, wholesalers, hotels, caterers and farms and offset over 300 tonnes of greenhouse gas.”

3food4u offers free groceries, clothes and essentials without assessment or referral to anyone that needs it, based on its ethos of treating and supporting people humanely with dignity and respect.

The charity’s community surplus hubs are open as follows:

Monday: Waltham Abbbey – 13, Sun Street - 11.30am to 1pm

Tuesday: Loughton – Loughton Club, 8, Station Road - 11.30am to 1pm

Wednesday: Chigwell Row – All Saints Church Hall, Romford Road - 5pm to 6.30pm

Thursday: Ongar – Zinc Arts Centre, High Street - 1pm to 2.30pm

Friday: Waltham Abbey – 13, Sun Street - 11.30am to 1pm

The Rotary Club of Loughton, Buckhurst Hill and Chigwell is continuing to meet on Zoom on Thursdays at 7pm.

If you would like to attend, contact Pesh on 020 8500 2527 / 07973 166940 or email pesh@londonresidential.co.uk.