Donations are for Cwtch-Up, a group helping the homeless and others in need in Cardiff
CHARITY Cwtch-Up has run a food and toy drive to help Cardiff residents struggling over Christmas.
The event took place at Caerau Ely Rugby Club, with members bringing their donations to Sunday training.
Cwtch-Up founder Nicola Williams began delivering food to struggling families at the start of the firebreak lockdown, running the operation out of her living room.
She asked Caerau Ely RFC founder Liam Mackay for help finding additional storage and he secured the currently disused Western Leisure Centre in Ely.
Mr Mackay then went one step further and organised the food and toy drive.
“It was the next logical step,” he said. “If every child brings at least one thing, that will mean over 130 pieces donated to this amazing cause.”
Ms Williams said: “Liam told me I needed to come to the club on Sunday, but I didn’t know he was doing this.”
Ms Williams recently broke her back after falling off a horse and is unemployed as a result. Despite this, she continues to collect, package and deliver food all over Cardiff with the help of her friends.
“To start with, I thought it would only be a little thing and it’s just gone absolutely mental,” she said.
“Just from FairShare, we have done 108 collections and 5,045 meals in the last five weeks.”
FairShare is a charity that organises the collection of food from shops that is past its best-before date but not its use-by date.
The Cwtch-Up group was founded over four years ago to help feed homeless people in Cardiff. Despite her injury, Ms Williams still joins food runs for the homeless every Wednesday night.
Cwtch-Up started delivering food during the pandemic to help people who were struggling. For instance people on furlough cannot access non-independent foodbanks without being referred by a GP, charity or social services.
“I didn’t realise what I was taking on initially,” Ms Williams said. “But now we’ve got so many people relying on us.”
With the help of cofounders Justine Heydon and Zoe Bell, as well as a host of friends and drivers, Cwtch-Up delivers food to Cardiff, Caerphilly, and Barry every day and night until 10.30pm.
Following the success of this week food drive at Caerau Ely Rugby Club, next week will see players from Cardiff Met Football Club assisting in food deliveries.
“Hopefully wearing Santa hats,” adds Ms Williams.
Volunteering also helps in other ways. Her friend and colleague said: “I suffer with my mental health and helping Nicola has been amazing to take my mind away from everything. I went round her house one day and just started helping with packages. Seeing and helping other people in need makes me feel better – it makes me realise I’m not the only one.”
Cwtch-Up does not accept money but if you would like to donate some food or toys, or to access the service yourself, contact Ms Williams through the Cwtch-Up Facebook page.
