Coventry Foodbank founder welcomes all to 32km pilgrimage

The Founder of Coventry Foodbank is raising awareness and funds with a "pilgrimage" through the city, as demand on the facility continues to grow.

Canon Gavin Kibble MBE is inviting members of the public to join him as he walks 32km, stopping at all the city’s 14 foodbank centres on May 29.

It is expected the route, starting from the centre in Canley and ending at The Halo Centre headquarters in Binley, will take around five to six hours to complete.

Gavin said: "I’d love it if as many people as possible could join me on this pilgrimage from West to East of Coventry to celebrate 12 years of the life of Coventry Foodbank.

"Since I founded Coventry Foodbank, I thought it would be a nice idea to walk the length and breadth of the network."

Over 250k people have received food from the Foodbank in the 12 years since it was founded.

However, the cost-of-living squeeze is meaning that service-use across Coventry is facing its highest ever demand.

Currently, it is feeding 800 people each week - which represents an increase from 700 people in January 2023, and 500 people in January 2022.

Gavin added: "With the economic crisis, demand has risen. But at the same time, because people’s incomes are squeezed, the level of donations we are receiving has gone down.

"So, I just want to alert people that we depend on the city to look after their own, and we need local engaging with the Foodbank."

Gavin says the walk will also support his training towards a planned trans-Pennine charity trek for his 60th birthday next year.

You can find out more about the route and taking part at: coventryfoodbank.org.uk/foodbankathon.