Windermere School is working in partnership with Ambleside Parish Centre offering hot lunches to people in rural communities during the coronavirus lockdown.
The week-day meals are prepared in the independent school’s kitchen by chef, Mrs Jane Kirkpatrick, who has been providing lunches for the children of key workers who are continuing to be educated at the Elleray Campus.
The Patterdale Road school was linked up with the Ambleside Parish Centre through Cumbria County Council and the meals made possible by donations and grants received by the Vicarage Road centre.
Meals were delivered to 24 households in the first week, 36 the week after and a whopping 68 turkey dinners went out on Wednesday, 6 May.
The scheme is available for residents of Ambleside, Grasmere, the Langdales and Hawkshead. Negotiations are underway to see if there is a need in Coniston too. The cost for two courses is £3 or free to those who have lost their income. They can be picked up or delivered by a volunteer.
Anyone interested can contact admin@amblesidepc.org.uk.
Mrs Julie King, Head of Elleray Campus, said: “We have been delighted to support this important local initiative. Many of the meals are for members of our community who are unable to shop or find available funds during this difficult time.
“Our students are encouraged to take part in social action and it is imperative that, even though our school gates are temporarily closed, we continue to honour these principles.”
Ambleside butchers, Garside, has donated Cumberland sausage, and the YHA of Coniston, Windermere and Lakeside, frozen, catering sized meals, which will help extend the scheme.
Also helping out is Ambleside restaurant Kysty which has offered the use of its kitchens to prepare a free vegetarian soup and roll to those without income on a Saturday and Sunday lunchtime. Soup will be put in reusable insulated cup containers, donated by local businesses, including Electricity North West.
