Newcastle Foodbank provides an essential lifeline for thousands in North East communities, and now it can look to the future with confidence thanks to a new fire system supplied by Advanced and Hyfire, and installed by local company, RayFire Services.
After a Challenge Anneka-style call for help from foodbank bosses, the two companies, both part of Halma plc, teamed up with RayFire in a spirit of community service, replacing the obsolete fire system in the charity’s West End premises with state-of-the-art protection – featuring Advanced’s Go fire panel combined with wireless fire devices from Hyfire’s Taurus range – completely free of charge.
Paul Duffy, Technical Services Manager at Newcastle-based Advanced, said, “At Advanced, we believe in the power of community. The Newcastle Foodbank West End is a cornerstone of support for many, and we’re proud to contribute our expertise to ensure the wellbeing of staff and customers.”
Located in one of the most economically and socially challenged areas in the North East, the Newcastle Foodbank West End has been a beacon of hope since it opened in March 2013. Today, as part of one of the busiest foodbanks in the UK, it provides more than 23,700 food parcels annually to those in crisis. Beyond its pivotal role in offering emergency food assistance, the foodbank also collaborates with specialist agencies to help beneficiaries address deeper challenges, from household debt and unemployment to addiction and housing issues.
Robert Bruce, National Key Account Manager at Hyfire, remarked, “The significance of the foodbank cannot be overstated, so when we heard about the urgent need for a new fire system, we were only too happy to help. We’re thrilled to have had the opportunity to work with Advanced and RayFire to support this vital resource.”
With 1-in-5 people in the UK now living below the poverty line, the 287 tonnes of food distributed annually by Newcastle Foodbank makes a huge difference for those most in need. The charity is part of the Trussell Trust, a nationwide network of foodbanks that provide emergency food and compassionate support to individuals and families in crisis.
Ray Hope from RayFire Services praised the timely intervention: “The previous fire system was no longer fit for purpose, so when we heard about the project from the team at Advanced, we were happy to help. Our collaboration ensures the foodbank can continue its mission with reassurance that the right fire systems are in place.”
John McCorry, Newcastle Foodbank CEO, said: “Every day, we witness the difference we make in people’s lives. Knowing that our facility is protected by the best fire systems allows us to focus on what we do best: serving our community. We’re so grateful for this support and, because we didn’t have to pay for the new fire system, those funds can be ploughed back into our core mission.”
To find out more about Newcastle Foodbank, visit www.newcastlewestend.foodbank.org.uk.