Hartlepool half-term hero makes 100 packed lunches to help struggling families - and she isn't finished yet

A Hartlepool woman is making dozens of packed lunches every day to make sure struggling children across town are getting a meal during the half term.
By Chris Cordner
Published 28th Oct 2020, 16:23 BST
Nadine Weldrake with a selection of pack lunches Picture by FRANK REIDNadine Weldrake with a selection of pack lunches Picture by FRANK REID
Nadine Weldrake with a selection of pack lunches Picture by FRANK REID

Big-hearted Nadine Weldrake, 30, decided she wanted to help when she heard families were struggling during the pandemic.

She came up with a plan to put together lunch packs during the half term holidays. She filled each of them with a sandwich, jelly pot, chocolate bar, a piece of fruit and a bag of crisps.

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Nadine had only originally planned to do 12 lunch bags a day when she first planned her half term idea but when word spread of her incredible offer, the numbers grew and now Nadine is doing 32 bags a day for the rest of this week – all voluntarily.

Nadine Weldrake with a selection of pack lunches Picture by FRANK REIDNadine Weldrake with a selection of pack lunches Picture by FRANK REID
Nadine Weldrake with a selection of pack lunches Picture by FRANK REID

She is having to repeatedly go shopping for the products needed to put together the lunch bags. On a night-time, she pre-packs chocolate bars, crisps and other items in each bag.

Then, the next morning, she spends 90 minutes making fresh sandwiches for each of the 32 bags she prepares.

Her totally voluntary service is so popular that every bag she makes has already been allocated to the end of half term.

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Nadine told the Hartlepool Mail: “It has been a real eye-opener to see how many people are in need but I would do it all over again.

Nadine Weldrake. Picture by FRANK REIDNadine Weldrake. Picture by FRANK REID
Nadine Weldrake. Picture by FRANK REID

"They are in need through no fault of their own and no-one knew they were going to be in this situation.”

Modest Nadine added: "I have never done anything like this before and all I am doing is helping people.”

Nadine is a mum of three herself and works as a catering assistant. Of the 32 bags she makes, 18 are delivered to homes across Hartlepool and Nadine thanked Kim Pugh and Samantha McLintock for doing the deliveries for her.

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Other people have collected bags from her door and Nadine told how her initiative has attracted considerable support.

Nadine Weldrake with a selection of packed lunches. Picture by FRANK REIDNadine Weldrake with a selection of packed lunches. Picture by FRANK REID
Nadine Weldrake with a selection of packed lunches. Picture by FRANK REID

"I didn’t ask for donations towards the lunch bags but they have come in. People started donating money and it has become enough to cover the cost of the bags.

"If there is any left over at the end of this, I will donate it to the St Aidan’s soup kitchen and the Poolie Time Exchange.”

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