Wellingborough, Rushden and Kettering foodbanks receive 10,000 item boost from kind-hearted sport volunteers

A group of county-based sports coaches have turned their talents for organisation skills to help others during the coronavirus lockdown collecting much-needed food and toiletries for foodbanks in Wellingborough, Rushden and Kettering.

During lockdown Pacesetter, who usually deliver PE, sports and wellbeing programmes to more than 100 primary schools in Northamptonshire, furloughed all 30 of their staff with 10 able to volunteer to spend their time helping in their communities.

From their homes, staff set up Pacesetter hubs - collection points - asking for items for foodbanks in the north of the county.

Nick Schanschieff, Pacesetter director, said: "We have collected 10,000 items from people. The response has just been way beyond all our expectations.

"The community has been so supportive, everyone has been so keen to give what they can. We have acted as facilitators using our organising skills."

Pacesetter hub locations have included Guilsborough, Pitsford, Spratton, Broughton, Brixworth, Kettering, Mawsley, Wellingborough and Rushden.

As well as food and essential items being delivered to the Daylight Centre in Wellingborough and other foodbanks in Kettering and Rushden the hubs have gifted more than £1,000.

Mr Schanschieff, who lives in Guilsborough, said: "We put a box outside our house. We've been supported by the village school, friends and family have shared our appeal on social media. It has spiralled."

Now schools are back. Pacesetter staff are hoping to get back to work running their PE,sport and wellbeing sessions as soon as possible.

Mr Schanschieff added: "The community has been so generous. It's way above our expectations and has been overwhelming.

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