12-year old boy 'really happy' after huge donation to his Redditch foodbank after break in
Isaac started a foodbank on his drive way during lock down, and after seeing how many people were in need, opened more across Worcestershire
Last updated 18th Oct 2023
A 12-year old boy from Redditch has told us he is really happy after receiving a huge donation from a super market to re-stock his foodbank that was broken into.
Isaac first set up a foodbank on his drive way during lock down with £40 worth of Aldi groceries in November 2020 to get food to people who were struggling.
He has since opened up other points across the town to help people struggling to make ends meet.
Isaac was heartbroken to discover that his shed, where his food bank is located was targeted by burglars who stole over £50 worth of food, including tins of meat and cereals. This left him with bare shelved and nothing for the local community that he had been helping since the pandemic.
A man has since been arrested on suspicion of burglary and theft after this incident, and a theft from Home Bargains in Redditch.
The loss of the items and the nature of the incident has left Isaac crushed.
Supermarket chain Aldi caught wind of the incident and has stepped in to help him restock his shelves with £500 worth of products including cupboard essentials and toiletries which will be used to replace the stolen items and also supply the three other foodbanks he has set up in his home town.
Isaac, who has a rare chromosome disorder and lives with mum Claire, 43, and brothers Toby, 10, and 22 year old Jacob, said: "I was delighted to get the donations. The shed looks really well stocked now."
Isaac's mum Claire told told us : "I arrived home and went to put the food away in Isaac's food bank to realise the lock had been broken off."
"I felt quite vulnerable, knowing that person had been on our drive way for more than 40 minutes, hanging around trying to break into Isaac's foodbank until he was successful"
" The look on his face when they gave him the £500 shopping voucher was just absolutely amazing and then to see all the food that they brought with them was incredible for him."
"I know he is really really grateful"
Julie Ashfield, Managing Director of Buying at Aldi UK, said: “Like everyone, we were appalled and saddened to hear about Isaac’s food bank, so we are delighted that we can help where we can and ensure he continues to be able to do his amazing work.”