Council thanks local businesses for Help Hub support

A number of Blackburn with Darwen businesses have demonstrated their kindness and compassion to the local community through donations to the BwD Help Hub.

The Council’s support network for people with no one around them to help out during self-isolation in the COVID-19 lockdown has received donations of a variety of products.

This week Blackburn-based Accrol Papers delivered a staggering 52 pallets of much-needed toilet rolls to the warehouse – that’s over 56,000 toilet rolls!

These will be included in parcels of food and household essentials being distributed weekly or monthly to the borough’s most vulnerable residents.

Gareth Jenkins, Accrol’s Chief Executive, commented:

Everyone has seen the news reports about the unnecessary panic buying of toilet roll during the COVID-19 lockdown. It was clear to us that getting hold of necessities like toilet roll must be almost impossible for some of the more vulnerable people in our local community.

As one of the UK’s leading toilet roll producers, we were in a position to give a bit back to the community which has supported our business for over 24 years. The BwD Help Hub has enabled us to do that. They are reaching the people and families in most need quickly and effectively and making a real difference to people’s lives.

The Council has also received a generous donation of 2,500 packs of toilet roll from Punjab Paper Converters, a Darwen-based tissue products manufacturer.

Morrisons’ Blackburn store donated 300 Easter eggs to help us spread some chocolatey cheer recently to children whose families are being supported through the Help Hub. The supermarket has also loaned the Council’s new food warehouse shopping trolleys to help move goods around the building.

Fones.com, a mobile phone business in Blackburn, also donated over 4,000 cereal bars to the food warehouse, and Elin Distribution cash and carry donated tinned fruit to add to food parcels.

The food warehouse and distribution centre itself would not have been possible without Euro Garages and Barnfield Construction. Both businesses were instrumental in getting the site set up quickly to support vulnerable people isolated at home during the Coronavirus pandemic.

Councillor Mohammed Khan, Leader of the Council, said:

We are so grateful to those Blackburn with Darwen businesses who have demonstrated their kindness and compassion through their support for the BwD Help Hub, whether through support as we set up the operation or through donations of food and essential items for residents.

The Help Hub is a vital service for the Council at the present time and to know that we have the support of our local business community means such a lot.

The BwD Help Hub can provide a range of support, from organising deliveries of food and essential supplies to vulnerable people, and providing information and advice, to regular telephone calls to help keep people’s spirits up during periods of isolation.

Anyone who needs help during the current difficult circumstances should:

• Fill in this online form
• Call 01254 588111 – calls are taken 9am-5pm Mon to Fri, and 9am-12pm Sat & Sun