The largest emergency food agency in Epping Forest has been handed a “massive lifeline” to continue serving the community in Loughton.

3Food4U has been given grant funding of £3,500 by Loughton Town Council, enabling it to carry on delivering its service to the local community for another 12 months.

Meanwhile, the charity’s chair of trustees is preparing for “the toughest marathon I’ll have ever ran” in support of the Ukraine Fundraising Appeal.

This Is Local London:

Pesh Kapasiawala said: “I'm distraught with what's happening to the people in Ukraine, like everyone else. I've decided to run the Brighton Marathon to raise funds for Disasters Emergency Committee (DEC). In addition to gift aid, online business networking Screen Pop will match any funds raised, more than doubling your donation.

“This will be the toughest marathon I'll have ran because usually I train for four to five months for a marathon - the Brighton Marathon is less than a month away on April 10.”

3Food4U has a Fundraising page at https://www.stewardship.org.uk/pages/3food4u

The charity’s community surplus hubs are open as follows:

  • Monday: Waltham Abbey – 13, Sun Street - 11.30am to 1pm
  • Tuesday: Loughton – Loughton Club, 8, Station Road - 11.30am to 1pm
  • Wednesday: Chigwell Row – All Saints Church Hall, Romford Road - 5pm to 6.30pm
  • Thursday: Ongar – Zinc Arts Centre, High Street - 1pm to 2.30pm
  • Friday: Waltham Abbey – 13, Sun Street - 11.30am to 1pm

For further details, visit www.3food4u.org, email info.3food4u@gmail.com or call 01992 842642