Fleetwood food bank coordinator hits out after van torched

Shaun MacNeill, of West View Community Association, is part of a huge community effort to ensure that food parcels can still get to those who need them, after the coronavirus forced the usual collection facilities to be closed.

But the vehicle was set alight while parked on Larkholme Lane last night and now a joint investigation is to be carried out by Lancashire Police and Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service.

Mr MacNeill said: "It is just very sad that at a time when the community of Fleetwood is coming together to help those in need, someone can do something like that.

"The service will continue and we will continue to help those who need it."

A police spokesman confirmed that the fire is believed to be suspicious and is under investigation.

Fire crews from Fleetwood tackled the fire for around 40 minutes before the burning vehicle had been safely extinguished.

If anyone has any information on the cause of the fire, they can contact Lancashire Police on 101, quoting log number 0007 of March 26.

The St Vincent de Paul Fleetwood Food Bank usually opens at St Edmund’s RC Church, on Melbourne Avenue, every Wednesday morning, with recipients going there on a referral basis.

But the rapid spread of the coronavirus and the subsequent government-enforced lockdown has created challenges for the operation.

After a meeting between the food bank volunteers, the Mustard Seed, West View Community Association, Fleetwood churches and Wyre Council, a temporary alternative scheme has been set up which allow food bank regulars to still receive their parcels.

It involves the food parcels being put together from a new base at St David’s Church, on Larkholme Lane, where they will then be picked up and dropped off at the homes of those in need, by minibus.

The food parcel recipients, who have been referred to the project, need to phone a special number each week to get their food parcels delivered to them.

The scheme avoids the need for large numbers to congregate at the food bank yet still helps those in need.

Rossall School , Fleetwood Town Community Trust and Fleetwood Together are also involved in the joint effort.

Shaun MacNeill and daughter Lucy MacNeill, from West View Community Association, are playing a key roll and r MacNeill praised youngsters from West View who wanted to help and had volunteered to drop parcels off in the minibus.

Those who need to receive the parcels are asked to phone the designated number (01253) 774313, a special switchboard set up at Rossall School, and give their details.

Local stores or individuals wishing to donate food can contact Shaun on 0788 9133445, or individuals can donate food to the designated trollies in Fleetwood’s supermarkets.