Hartlepool historians boost town food bank stocks during lockdown

The History of Hartlepool DVD Charity regularly supports the town’s care homes by buying stimulating gifts for residents living with dementia from the proceeds of the group's Hartlepool history DVDs.

Due to the pandemic, the group has been unable to complete their programme of gifts and entertainment with homes being in a continued state of lockdown.

So instead, the committee decided to give 200 boxes of porridge oats to the Trussell Trust Foodbank in Church Street, Hartlepool.

History group treasurer Stephen Close said: “The past four months has been difficult for those families on the breadline as access to aid has been stifled by the lockdown.

"We thought it would be nice if we could help out in a small way and so delivered some parcels to their premises for distribution.”

A spokesperson for the Trussell Trust said they were very grateful for the donation as universal credit claims have increased since March.

Stephen added they were happy to contribute during this difficult time when there was more demand for food parcels.

The history DVD charity group was set up five years ago and in that time has delivered over £12,000 worth of gifts to dementia homes in Hartlepool.

Items include old fashioned games, authentic replica magazines, karaoke and electric bingo machines, floor bowls, videos and books.

All six of the Hartlepool history DVDs are available from 160 York Road and all profits are spent locally.

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