Islington People’s Army are cooking up hot meals

NEWSPAPERS can be tough reading at the moment, and ours too has promised not to shy away from telling you the truth about the pain that coronavirus is causing. But through this dark period, there are stories of love and hope in the borough, small community stories that actually mean the world. Each week, we are celebrating the things that organisations, businesses and individuals are doing to help others – to help us all – get through this difficult time. Please send any stories of generosity to editorial@islingtontribune.co.uk, and we’ll do our best to feature as many as we can. We want to include these tales from all areas of the borough.

Army fights on its stomach

THE Islington People’s Army, a new group of volunteers, have hired out a kitchen and employed a chef to cook scores of hot meals, which are being distributed to vulnerable residents by St Silas Church, in Penton Street, Barnsbury, and The Angel Church in Mount Zion Hall.

Sellers’ foods for thought

Whittington nurses tucking into falafels and burgers

FOOD sellers have been helping to feed the stretched teams at the Whittington Hospital with donations. Hoxton Beach falafel makers and Bite Me Burger sent in lunch for the staff, while Fortnum and Mason sent a ribbon-wrapped hamper full of Easter chocolate. Staff from Waitrose in King’s Cross and Arsenal brought mineral water for staff in intensive care.

Arsenal scores with deliveries

ARSENAL are also helping to deliver 30,000 free meals across the borough. Working with Islington Council as part of the borough’s emergency response plan, the donation from its foundation charity will also provide essential items such as sanitary and personal hygiene products to those struggling to get help.

Doh! Police love a ‘cliché’

POLICE given the task of enforcing the lockdown are also being sent food to keep them going on long and unusual shifts. Borough commander Raj Kohli said officers were enjoying a “cliché, but a delicious cliché” after boxes of Krispy Kreme doughnuts were sent to their HQ.

Facing up to mask famine

Carol Dean with the masks

FRIENDS in Tufnell Park have helped distribute 1,000 facemasks after sewing them at home. Sandra Denicke-Polcher, who works in the London Met University’s school of architecture and design, roped in some of her students to help make them, as well as her friend Carol Dean. Their design includes a pouch for a filter to increase protection.To join the effort making more, contacts.denicke@londonmet.ac.uk or timcarolmaxwill@bme.com

A sound idea from musician

A MUSICIAN has recorded a song that he hopes will raise money for the nurses, doctors and support staff at the Whittington. Tim Jackson’s Nowhere Together With You will be on all streaming sites from today (Friday) and for charitable download on iTunes. He wrote it and recorded during the lockdown period.

• Thanks again to all who volunteered to help deliver copies of the Tribune to people who are unable to get to the shops or exercise, and to the open shops who have agreed to stock copies. The paper, of course, remains free to everybody. All your support is greatly appreciated