Just for a change in writing about what we have been doing, I would like to introduce you to some of the volunteers that help us to achieve what we do. Firstly, Megan Roberts. She is a local government officer and a brand new season ticket holder – block 104 represent!
Originally from King’s Lynn in Norfolk, she has been settled in Bethnal Green for 10 years and with ISF since January 2020. Megan used to volunteer at the food bank in Beckton, Newham Foodbank, for five years. This Foodbank was fundamental in starting the Irons Supporting Foodbanks journey.
Megan manages the ISF Instagram and is now branching out into TikTok content. She is always asking for volunteers to be in the content. In her spare time she enjoys reading and booking her next holiday in Europe.
You’ll see Debbie Donovan collecting outside Hackney Wick Station. She has been a West Ham fan for 48 years, having been taken to her first game aged seven. She met me a number of years ago, and I was talking about doing Foodbank collections then, so when started ISF, she joined me.
She says: ‘Whilst I think that the existence of foodbanks and the huge increase in their use in a country as rich as ours is disgraceful, people are in real need, and knowing we are helping to feed and clothe families in poverty and people without a home, is a massive motivation.
‘West Ham fans expect to see me now and are really generous, as are members of the public. Away fans also regularly give me donations and positively comment on the fact that ISF exists. I also get support from local traders, like the station hot dog seller, who encourages his customers to give me their change and staff at the Lord Napier, who take care of my bucket during the game and also encourage donations.’
Our Stratford Walk volunteer is Victoria Antoinette who started volunteering with Irons Supporting Foodbanks back in November 2023. ‘I approached the group to see if they could help me find warm clothes for children in Newham who were residing in hotels as well as chocolate treats for children in hospital,’ she explains. ‘I could not believe the amount of support the group offered to the community in Newham. Having worked in Newham all my life, I was grateful to now have a link with a group whose impact I could actually see.’
Victoria is a published crime fiction writer whose books are all set in Newham, East London. She continued: ‘My books highlight the effect of gangs on young people and their communities and soon I will be writing a book about influential women who support West Ham, the unseen, unsung community heroes.’ If your mum, nan or partner would like to feature in this book please get in touch via antoinetteauthor@outlook.com.
Last season you may have seen Christine Bull on Stratford Walk. Christine was ‘on loan’ to us whilst the Supporters’ Club was negotiating for new premises. This season you’ll find Christine at the new Club venue, with a bucket for ISF.
As for me, as the founder of ISF, when I’m not volunteering I’m working at my own business, where I manage a number of European customers on behalf of a Taiwanese aftermarket parts manufacturer for commercial vehicles. We have customers spread across the continent from Western Europe to the Baltic States.
ISF is this season working on match days alongside a number of groups that we support, for which we are always grateful. If anyone wishes to collect with us for an hour or so, please stop by at the gazebo on a matchday or contact us via ironsfoodbanks.co.uk
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