I’m an ex-vet who’s gone from homelessness to fixing arcades on Central Pier
“It’s not just about the food, it’s a community gathering where everyone helps each other as well.”
A Blackpool man has spoken about the important role The BIG FOOD PROJECT played in his recovery from homelessness and drug addictions as fundraising efforts for the charity’s Christmas campaign continue.
Stuart Bradley, 39, is an ex-Army veteran who served with the 13 Air Assault Support Regiment. He now works at the North Pier arcade, where he has spent the past four seasons repairing machines.
However, just a few years ago, Stuart was battling addictions and facing homelessness. He used The BIG FOOD Project’s food truck in Claremont every week, and has now described the service as an ‘amazing’ factor on his road to recovery.
In a new scheme backed by The Blackpool Gazette, The BIG FOOD Project is hoping to raise £25,00 in the next six weeks to help serve 50,000 meals for residents across the Fylde coast this winter.
Fylde’s BIG Festive Feed has been launched in partnership with the Aviva Communities Fund, who will double every £1 donated.
Stuart said: “I used The BIG FOOD Project’s food truck every week, and I still use it now and again. It’s really good. It’s not just about the food, it’s a community gathering where everyone helps each other as well.
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"I lost all my family after opening a company and losing £10,000, and I became addicted to drugs. I was getting benefits, £200 a month, but to pay for food, electric, phone bills, it’s not enough.
“Covid hit me hard, I was going to homeless shelters to get food and cleaning products, I slept on the streets. One Christmas I went to the Salvation Army, because I didn’t want to be alone.
"The BIG FOOD Project is actually a perfect idea. It's ideal for families on a tight budget, people on low incomes, or people who are partially on benefits and partially working. They give you tinned products, fresh veg, food, bread, croissants, as well as sanitary products for women."
Stuart loves his current job but, due to the seasonal nature of the work and lack of concrete hours, can have hours which vary between 20 hours and 50. For Stuart and countless others, The BIG FOOD PROJECT is a reassuring service which is always there to help.
The 39-year-old recently went back to help the charity as a volunteer, working alongside people from all backgrounds, including a PE teacher at a Blackpool school.
"The new scheme, trying to help people for Christmas, is an amazing thing,” he added. “People on low budgets might have to choose hot water and heating against food, so help would be amazing. Blackpool Council should help out, maybe with some free advertising on bus stops.
“When I tell people about The BIG FOOD PROJECT, they’ve never heard of it, so it would be good to try and change that.”