Free Food in Sandown, a pivotal charity based in Sandown led by Dott Perrett, has been honoured with a High Sheriff’s Award. This prestigious award, presented by High Sheriff Dawn Haig-Thomas, highlights the charity’s significant contributions to combating poverty and crisis in the community. Since its inception in 2019, Free Food in Sandown has been a beacon of hope for many. Founded by Dott Perrett, the charity began its journey at the Sandown Railway Station, eventually establishing a more permanent base on Lake High Street. Their mission is simple yet profound: to focus on providing food for people in poverty and crisis. This is primarily achieved through a stand at their charity shop and cafe in Lake, where people can collect food for free. Additionally, they offer home-cooked meals for £1, and a supply of packet and tinned products for emergency situations as well as crisis boxes. The charity’s efforts have been critical, especially during times of increasing need. With 4 dedicated trustees and a team of 12 volunteers, Free Food in Sandown exemplifies community spirit. Their work extends across the Sandown Bay area and the Isle of Wight, ensuring that no one is left behind in times of crisis, and the charity runs a weekly warm space with a buffet lunch which costs £2. The High Sheriff’s Award is not only a recognition of the charity’s invaluable service but also a testament to the community’s support and trust. Free Food in Sandown’s partnerships with local entities, including the Sandown and Shanklin Co-ops, Waitrose, Tescos Lake, and Lidl, have been instrumental in their success. The charity, powered by donations, grants, and community support, stands as a symbol of unity and compassion in the face of adversity. Dott Perrett has said:
“We are incredibly honoured and humbled by this recognition. “This award is for every volunteer, donor, and partner who has been a part of our journey. Together, we are making a difference in the lives of those who need it the most.”
High Sheriff Dawn Haig-Thomas said:
“In my year as High Sheriff, I’ve been lucky enough to meet many of our unsung community heroes. Dott Perrett, the founder of Free Food in Sandown, is one such person. “Dott really stands out as a compassionate and dedicated individual, who has achieved so much in so little time. She has dedicated the last five years to providing nutritious meals to those unable to afford food, living in Lake and Sandown. She knows her 250 clients well and by working with local supermarkets, ensures that no food is wasted and those in need are fed. In addition, her warm space Tuesday buffet is extremely welcoming, and a delicious spread is laid on by Dott’s amazing team”.
She doesn’t look that high, you can’t make assumptions like that about Sandown.
Please, all I ask is the recipients of this free food, are asked how much money they get in TOTAL to include pay if working at all, total benefits, child tax and working tax credits, or universal credit, any extras for having SEN children as is common nowadays with drugged parents adding to the numbers during conception, and of course child allowance.
Clearly non will declare the cash in hand jobs in building work, dealing drugs, working in hairdressers, massage, nail bars, food industry.
THEN to declare how much they DON’T have to pay on rent and council tax, and how much they get in free school meals dental care, uniforms, so WE can ‘see’ if they really are ‘in poverty’ or just sly users, or useless spongers.
Why is crossdressing William Tell standing in for a important member of society is this some kind of fake news ?
No sign of being judgemental there at all I,v,y. Good show.
You would think that they would raise a smile between them.Obviously not very happy about the award.
How about free parking after 6pm
I am fed up having to park my car outside Sandown pier
on Double yellow lines
Free toilets would be a better idea
I took in some dog food thinking it would help people to feed their pets when they were hard up as it would be one less worry for people. The first thing they did was put price stickers on it .There isn’t much free food there unless you like bread and cakes tgat are weeks out of date which can’t be good for people. Anything from supermarket donations is priced up until its very stale .There are people who they help ,if their face fits, staff are generally unfriendly ,especially Dott who ignores people that come in or is rude . I would feel extremely uncomfortable having a drink or whatever in the ‘ cafe ‘.If you don’t look obviously hard up they don’t want to know . And it isn’t just my opinion, many local people agree .
As EVERYONE in the same circumstance gets given the same benefits to live on then clearly as some people can live well enough, then so COULD all Just some know that suckers will still feed them and their minny-me’s if they squander their benefits on everything else they prefer first.
Their rent & c tax is free so most all are just sly imo now ‘shame’ is replaced by ‘the world owes me a living’ rubbish.