Hero behind Cornish food bank to retire from frontline operations
Don Gardner runs the Camborne, Pool and Redruth centre
The much-loved man behind a famous food bank in Cornwall has announced he is going to step back from frontline operations.
Don Gardner shot to national and international fame after appearing on the TV programme 'Cornwall with Simon Reeve' which shone a light on the true extent of poverty in the Duchy and the incredible work that the Camborne, Pool and Redruth food bank does.
But after a challenging and busy 2020, and the death of his wife Jen in August, the local hero has decided the time is right to hand over the reins in terms of the day-to-day operations.
But he has reassured us that he will still very much be part of the CPR Transformation Food Bank.
"I've always thought that there would have to come a time where I would have to step back. I'm not retiring completely, I still remain as chairman of trustees and remain available to the team, and will probably be in the foodbank every day as normal. But when Jen died in August a lot of her work suddenly, because we were part of a team, there was no one to carry on her work and it was difficult to sort. and I thought I can't let that happen to me, I don't know when I'm going to go and I'm 76 in February, so I thought it was time other people were put in place so that there will be a seamless transition whenever I am called home to be with God."
Don Gardner
The past year has seen demand at the food bank rocket, with more people relying on the extra support due to the pandemic.
During the first coronavirus lockdown the CPR foodbank, which is located within one of the poorest parts of Europe, dished out 26,000 meals in just one month.
Many families have been struggling due to job losses, furlough and the uncertainty.
The centre is currently dishing out around 12,000 meals a month on average, but Don fears things could get worse again through January.
"I and Jen, up until when she died, we never had a day off, we were working seven days a week from home, that and Jen's death caused serious admin problems and so many lovely people in the foodbank supported me. I haven't had any time off at all, I've had a few days off this week but I've already been called out two or three times but we just carry on.
"It has been a slightly different time, people going on furlough, they're short of money, mental health problems have risen and I'm sure that is going to continue. Covid-19 has cause serious problems within the foodbank for how we operate and how our volunteers can operate, going into tier 3 is not easy as we've had to revisit the risk assessment on how we operate."
Don Gardner
After appearing on the TV documentary 'Cornwall with Simon Reeve' in the autumn, donations flooded in to the centre.
Don filmed for the programme the day before his wife Jen's funeral, following her tragic death, as he felt it was that important to raise awareness about the struggles in the local area.
He told us that after the documentary aired, he had an influx of donations, people giving up their holiday money, and phone calls and messages from people around the world showing their support.
In the first two weeks alone over £160,000 of donations were made.
The centre now has enough money to secure its future for the next three to four years.
"It was unbelievable the support that came in, to be honest with you I never asked for it, during the Simon Reeve programme I never made an appeal for funds or food but it obviously struck people that we were in need and it needed to carry on, and the support was absolutely fanatic. It means we can increase our support to clients and hopefully we can change their lives for them, those that are really struggling with financial difficulties, job difficulties and those with mental health issues, which is going to be a serious problem.
"We think that the funding will be secure for three to four years, which does mean that we haven't got to worry. around Christmas time last year my wife and I were actually going to put our own money in to pay the wages, and now we've got enough funding for three or four or maybe a bit more, it's great that we haven't got to keep worrying about where the money is coming from because it's already in the bank, and we can concentrate on what we do best, which is caring for the community."
Don Gardner
Now Don, who is turning 76 in February, is going to focus on supporting the team and remaining as the chairman of trustees.
He told us he wants to make sure the Camborne, Pool and Redruth Transformation Food Bank continues to help people long into the future.
"I will hand over and train the wonderful team that we've got, we've got 70 odd volunteers, we will carry on forward. As far as the clients are concerned they will see no difference in the care and love that Transformation provides."
Don Gardner, CPR Foodbank