A scaffolder who was inspired by Marcus Rashford’s campaign for free school meal vouchers during holidays has achieved his own amazing feat.
Jordan Mattinson – 27, from Whitehaven in Cumbria – has managed to secure a whopping £11,000 worth of food to feed children over the Christmas holidays, and has even taken in a delivery of 20 tons, which will feed around 2,000 families in his community.
The amazing haul of 4,000 carrier bags full of food was so big it needed its own articulated lorry to be delivered to a social club, where it was stored ahead of being distributed.
Jordan and a group of pals launched the Copeland Christmas Food Project after the government rejected pleas to extend free meals for kids over the festive break, and even though the government eventually made a U-turn on the decision, the group decided to continue with the project.
They’ll now be able to help feed thousands of children from more than 50 different schools in the region.
ADVERTISEMENT
Speaking on the incredible achievement, Jordan said: “When Marcus Rashford asked the government to extend free school meals into the Christmas holidays and they said no, I set up the fundraising campaign. We were just going to donate food to a couple of schools whose children needed it, but it grew arms and legs.
“I put a crowdfunder online and set a target of £500, but we’ve had more than £11,000.
ADVERTISEMENT
“It’s absolutely amazing,
“I was blown away by the support and generosity of people [and] we’ll be able to feed 2,000 families. We got in touch with so many schools who were so grateful for it and said they had children who needed the help.
“We don’t get involved with the families directly as it’s a very sensitive thing for them and some of them find it embarrassing, but we ask the schools how many children they have on free school meals and donate it to the schools who distribute it to the families who need it.”
ADVERTISEMENT
Jordan Mattinson / SWNS
Jordan and his fellow organisers of the Copeland Christmas Food Project – Danny Dougherty, Josh and Rikki Tweedie and Beth McGregor – bought 26,000 individual items from Aldi’s Whitehaven store, which made up 4,000 carrier bags.
This means that each family is set to receive two bags of food.
On advice from the local food bank, the group prioritised long-lasting foods such as pasta, rice and soup, which would last for the entire two-week holiday period.
Jordan added: “It came on 32 pallets, it took a lot of effort to pack, there was around 50 volunteers. It’s been really nice to see people coming together and helping each other out.
“I have never been more proud or happy with anything I’ve ever been involved in.”
ADVERTISEMENT
He continued: “The response was overwhelming. It was just an unbelievable response from the community, all the volunteers and businesses who have helped us.
“It’s been eye-opening, the more we did this, the more we saw how many people actually need help [and] you don’t realise it’s so rife, people are really struggling and it is hard for them. People are finding this year harder than other years with the pandemic and people losing their jobs, so even more children are on free school meals than ever before.
Jordan Mattinson / SWNS
“The response from people in need has been overwhelming [too],
“[And] schools were so grateful for the help, and we’ve had messages from people who have needed help.
“As our food will be none perishable items, they will keep and hopefully help families at a later date if needed and make for a more comfortable Christmas.”
ADVERTISEMENT
A spokesman for The Whitehaven Academy – one of the local secondary schools set to receive donations of the food – said: “We would like to say a huge thank you to the Copeland Christmas Food Project who have provided us with food parcels for our families.
“[It’s a] fantastic effort by the team and wider community, [and] together, no child will go hungry in Copeland this Christmas.”
Tens of thousands queue for exclusive new Selfridges Jellycat toy
Daisy Jackson
Selfridges has today unveiled a brand-new, exclusive Jellycat toy – and it’s proving so popular an online queue has had to be put in place.
At the time of writing, a whopping 28,000 people are currently in a virtual queue to purchase the adorable new Jellycat character, with a wait time of more than an hour.
Today, Selfridges debuted a world-exclusive toy for the department store – a plushie version of its iconic yellow bag.
The Jellycat Amuseables toy comes in a soft yellow fabric, with the signature Jellycat smile, plus corded handles and legs.
And it does function as a miniature bag too, perfect for storing other pieces from your collection.
It’s been launched to celebrate a milestone 25 years of partnership between the two brands.
The Jellycat Amuseables Selfridges Bag. Credit: The Manc GroupThe Jellycat Amuseables Selfridges Bag. Credit: The Manc Group
The Selfridges x Jellycat exclusive retails at £48 – and its price has done absolutely nothing to deter people from shopping.
As well as being stocked online, the Selfridges bag soft toy is available in store in Exchange Square and at the Trafford Centre in Manchester, as well as in Birmingham and London.
Judd Crane, Selfridges Executive Director, Buying and Brand, said: “We are very proud to be part of Jellycat’s incredible story, as one of the brand’s first stockists, launching at Selfridges in 2000,” reports The Industry.Fashion.
The current queue on the Selfridges website for the Jellycat exclusive
“We have watched the Jellycat brand, and family, evolve as its loyal and inclusive community of fans and collectors continues to grow and grow. Twenty five years later, Jellycat is a firm favourite with our customers, who come to us for characters and experiences which make their day brighter.
“The Selfridges yellow bag is perhaps the most recognisable part of our brand personality, and we are excited be able to share it with Jellycat!”
You can pick up the Jellycat Amuseables Selfridges Bag in-store and online from today.
To celebrate 25 years of @Jellycat and @Selfridges, there’s a brand new character on the shelf and she’s beautiful 🥹💛 📍 Available now at both Selfridges Exchange Square and Trafford Centre #manchester#selfridges#jellycat#jellycatcollection#manc
There’s a FREE Children in Need event coming to MediaCityUK
Thomas Melia
An all-new and completely free to enjoy Children in Need event is making its way to MediaCityUK later this November, and it’s bringing along some iconic brands.
Everyone’s favourite yellow bear is returning to Manchester to take over MediaCityUK and rename it Pudsey’s Piazza for one night only.
Pudsey Bear is heading down to MediaCityUK and he’s bringing all the best activities, games, famous food, live music and more for four hours of FREE family-oriented fun.
You can expect to see Pudsey and the team alongside a whole host of celebrities, brand partners and lots of friends when Children in Need hosts its celebration later this November.
Some of the brands which have been announced include staple high street bakery Greggs, a collaboration between McDonald’s and its sports counterpart, Fun Football UK.
DJ AG is just one of the special guests preparing to take over MediaCityUK this November for Children in Need (Credit: Supplied)
Also joining the bill is viral TikTok potato-loving duo Spud Bros, who will be serving up their famed jacket potatoes with an array of fillings to choose from inside their recognisable big red van.
Greggs will be bringing a huge double-decker bus to Pudsey’s Piazza at MediaCityUK with treats on hand throughout this evening celebration, as well as interactive games for you to play.
You’ll also be able to catch a glimpse of a replica Red Arrows jet, which will be situated on the piazza all night long courtesy of aerial experts Royal Air Force.
If that wasn’t enough for you, your night will be soundtracked by the one and only viral nomad music maker DJ AG, who’ll be playing out tunes as part of a charity livestream at the bandstand.
MediaCityUK is the home of BBC Children in Need, so it’s only fitting that Pudsey would throw one of his biggest parties yet right here in Greater Manchester.
Pudsey and his friends are transforming MediaCityUK into Pudsey’s Piazza on Friday, 14 November from 4pm to 8pm, and they’re encouraging anyone to come along, especially since it’s FREE.
Emily Sergeant -
22nd December 2020 
