MARKET Cafe owner Ollie Chadwick has thanked Knutsford people for the 'massive outpouring' of support for his half-term hot meals initiative for local children.
New parents Ollie and Steph Chadwick decided to offer their children's £2 menu over the half term to help feed primary school children, and invited anyone who would like to make a donation to message them or to come into the café.
The decision to help feed schoolchildren in need over half-term follows a campaign spearheaded by Manchester United star Marcus Rashford to extend free school meals for children, and Wednesday night's defeat by 322 MPs to 261 for a Labour-led bid to extend the meals.
Ollie is a United fan, and he has been overwhelmed by support after posting his meals idea on social media.
There has been a flood of donations from local people, and Ollie will be able to offer at least 200 meals for free next week.
He is set to offer the meals from Tuesday, and people who have pre-ordered the meals are asked to collect them from the Market Cafe from Knutsford Market Hall before midday if possible.
Ollie and Steph had their first child, Lily Maria, on Tuesday.
Ollie said: "We thought we would try and help out in any way we could.
"We have just had a baby on Tuesday, and the thought of having to choose between heating your house and feeding your child is heartbreaking, so as a couple decided if we could help we would.
"We have had such a massive response to it we are considering helping after the half term as well, because obviously the problems don’t stop.
"The response shows people care, and it has become a lot bigger than I thought it would be; there has been a massive outpouring from the community."
@MarcusRashford thanks to the generous people of knutsford we have received donations to pay for over 40 hot meals for the local children that need the support during half term @addsrichmond @wvhtlucy @EgertonFC for their generosity so we are able to give FREE meals ❤️🖤❤️💪
— Oliver Chadwick (@OliverChadwic9) October 23, 2020
This all happened so quickly from Ollie’s first tweet. So huge thanks to everyone @addsrichmond @wvhtlucy @EgertonFC @TheWelcomeKnuts @MarcusRashford #knutsford #bekind #wearebettertogether @WeAreKnutsford https://t.co/fLJKhafp9L
— Knutsford Market Hall (@knutsmarket) October 23, 2020
Ahh amazing; thank you for all the support!
— The Market Café (@TheMarketCafe_) October 23, 2020
If anyone would like to donate then please message us, or pop into the Café tomorrow!
We’ll be giving any unused donation money to @TheWelcomeKnuts to help with their hot meal delivery and food parcels ❤️ https://t.co/5TUcVsmjma
I’m signing off with a feeling a pride tonight. The superstars of this nation lie in local communities. Even after taking the biggest hits you have wrapped your arms around your community to catch children as they fell. I really can’t thank you enough, you’re amazing ♥️
— Marcus Rashford MBE (@MarcusRashford) October 23, 2020
Happy Weekend!!
— The Market Café (@TheMarketCafe_) October 24, 2020
We are totally overwhelmed by everyone’s generosity, thank you so much ❤️
All unused donation money will be going to help out local families during the next few months ❤️@knutsmarket @marketbutcher_ @Jontyfruitnveg @KnutsfordTown #knutsford https://t.co/5TUcVsmjma
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