College lecturer supports local community during Coronavirus outbreak

An inspirational Sunderland College lecturer is doing her bit for the local community by helping the elderly and vulnerable during the COVID-19 lockdown. 

Christine Bell-Thompson, who teaches Hairdressing at City Campus, has joined a group of volunteers in County Durham who are providing free hot meals to those most in need during the coronavirus pandemic, while also delivering online learning to her students studying at home.

Meals such as mince and dumplings, shepherd’s pie and soup are planned and cooked at the Fulforth Community Centre and delivered twice a week across Sacriston and the surrounding villages. 

The project is supported by the local parish council and Chester-le-Street and District Area Action Group with the local butcher and greengrocer, Tesco Extra, FF Packaging and other businesses generously offering supplies and ingredients. 

Christine said: “The Fulforth Community Centre teamed up with our Village Tearoom after it closed to try and offer hot food twice a week to the elderly and vulnerable people in Sacriston. 

“Originally the meals were for collection only but obviously the elderly and vulnerable can’t get out so I offered to deliver with my daughter and it just went from there. 

“The first day over 80 meals were delivered which has now increased to 155, being prepared by five cooks with five cars distributing them in local area.” 

People can place an order by visiting www.thefulforthcentre.co.uk or calling 0191 3710601 (leaving a message) themselves or can be nominated by others. Volunteers will deliver the meals to their homes while following the strict government guidelines on social distancing.