A new way of life with #LadyWimbledon

Although expected, the lack of time they were given sent shock waves around Wimbledon and I’m sure the rest of the UK.

The fresh food already ordered for roast dinners at the weekend was sitting in pub fridges that were about to be switched off. I received phone call after phone call from clients and friends who couldn't stomach wasting such beautiful fresh food.

“Turn it into a takeaway” was my first naive response. I was soon reminded and learnt, staff couldn't travel to come in and the cost of running a takeaway from a large establishment really wasn't going to pay the bills to keep it open.

That evening it soon became apparent that health and safety issues were preventing us from finding a good home for fresh good food. The kind hearted and determined Amir Matinahmadi – owner of recently refurbished The Woodman and The William Morris Pub set in the quiet oasis of Merton Abbey Mills – asked his chefs to cook roast dinners of chicken, roast beef, pork belly and heaps of freshly cooked vegetables for two homeless charities. “We knew it was the right thing to do and the team came together to make it happen.” Explained Amir.

The very next day, 40 cooked meals were driven to the homeless charity Evolve London, the other meals were driven to SPEAR’s Young Persons’ Hostel in Wimbledon, which houses 15 vulnerable young adults between the ages of 16 - 25. They have been surviving off supplies in the freezer, but this won't last. The young people in this hostel were ostracised by their families for being part of the LGBTQ community, scared to leave their room and have no money to buy food. The young people were amazed by the kindness shown by The William Morris Pub for delivering such delicious warm meals.

On Sunday 22nd March, it was Mother’s Day. It was heart wrenching to learn about elderly residents experiencing the supposedly special day in care homes without their family, and for some had to kept in hospital alone. First Touch charity were telling me how they support around 600 sick and premature babies at St George’s Hospital’s Neonatal Unit in Tooting and although they are seeing mothers with young babies feeling isolated, the charity understandably had to vacate the hospital.

On the bright side of Mother’s Day, there are those who count their blessings. The sun was shining and a simple stroll and home cooked meal was enough to feel grateful for the most precious gift of children. Wimbledon is filled with woods, commons and parks. Even an hour outside is enough to breathe in spring and feel hopeful that brighter days are coming. My mother and I have an allotment plot around the corner from my home, alas she is housebound, so the kids and I decided to take a walk around the corner and take a photo to show her our smiling faces amongst the daffodils we planted together last year.

Monday 23rd March was the first day of home schooling. As a qualified primary school teacher with ten years experience under my belt, I was almost looking forward to it. By midday I was pulling my hair out. I thought we would all be sitting around the kitchen table and I would happily support their learning with my own little class of three. After a frustrated morning of fractions, guided reading, comprehension and PE, it suddenly dawned on me at 12 o'clock they were expecting a cooked lunch.

Tuesday 24th March, I woke up with a new game plan. 8.00am breakfast & dressed, 8.30am an hour walk to the woods. 9.30am/10am after a few muddy mishaps, lessons begin in their own bedrooms. More like a sergeant major than a teacher, I walk from room to room to help them. 12pm cooked lunch and play in garden and the afternoon is the bliss of silent reading and art. Sorted. Well that was sustainable for a week! I'm soon anticipating a rebellion, which I can hopefully calm with Easter egg hunts in the garden. (I am told Eater Bunny is immune)

Today is Wednesday 1st April and we are just about to be told Wimbledon is either cancelled or postponed. A year ago, this would feel like an April Fools. Today, sport really isn't important considering the health crisis we are all in. However, it won't help the local restaurants and pubs that have been hit hardest since having to shut down.

Maybe the tennis spectators will be inspired by AFC Wimbledon supporters. Xavier Wiggins and Old Ruts President Craig Wellstead, two devout AFC Wimbledon fans decided to do what they could to support those in the borough of Merton who are scared to leave their homes to get food and advised to self isolate. “We had just helped complete a rather different project - raising 5 million in a month for the building of Plough Lane Stadium and already had a great team who were willing and able to get involved... The volunteer team just seemed to fall in to place.” Said Xavier.

They soon got chatting to Cormac von der Hoeven, a teacher at Wimbledon College who was the final musketeer in helping them make their plan happen and together they created the Dons Local Action Group. The Old Ruts was a perfect distribution hub, there were so many members there ready to roll their sleeves up. Within days, they begun working with local charities such as MVCS, Merton Mutual Aid, AFC Wimbledon Foundation, Wimbledon Food Bank, Age UK Merton and many more, who helped identify hundreds of vulnerable people in our borough who required urgent food donations, delivered to their door.

By the end of the first week, this new organised group of AFC Wimbledon supporters and Old Ruts had collected, wrapped and delivered over 100 food parcels. The weekend just gone was 250 and this weekend with your help they are hoping to deliver 400 - 500 food parcels to those who need them most in Merton. We can only imagine the smiles and perhaps relief of those who opened the door to find a much-needed gift from their community on their doorstep.

If you are someone or know someone who needs support during these forthcoming weeks, please don’t hesitate to contact their helpline: 0203 301 4511 or email: DLA@AFCWimbledonfoundation.org.uk

Please take the time on the way back from your weekly shop to drop some non-perishable items at any of the following food collection points:

Open daily 11am - 5pm

- Waitrose Raynes Park

- Sainsburys Wimbledon

- Morrisons Wimbledon

- Sainsburys Morden

Open Saturday 8am - 5pm

- Old Rutlishians

- Old Wimbledonians (Coombe Lane)

Open daily 8am - 5pm

- Tesco New Malden

If you are unable to drop off food at the supermarket, please help them raise £5,000 for The AFC Wimbledon Foundation to support The Dons Local Action Group. The money is used to complete food parcels with items that are missing. Please donate to their JustGiving crowdfunding page:

justgiving.com/crowdfunding/donslocalactiongroup?utm_term=Q98NqZK9Q

In the time it has taken me to write this, I'm pleased to say we have linked SPEAR to the DONS Local Action Group who is keen to support them with food parcels in the forthcoming weeks and months.

Look after yourselves, please don’t hesitate to volunteer or ask for help.

Engage with the Merton Mutual Aid Facebook Group, it’s a great way to be connected as a community: facebook.com/groups/mertonmutualaid/

Sign up to volunteer: mertonmutualaid.net/ or to request support email: mertonvst@gmail.com

Warmest,

@LadyWimbledon