Leeds United director praises 'inspiring' effort as Deliveroo send meals to St George's Crypt

Pizzas were delivered to some of the most vulnerable people in Leeds thanks to a Leeds United backed initiative by Deliveroo.
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The food delivery company delivered 30 Pizza Hut pizzas to 50 people across three sites - St George's Crypt in the city centre, Regent Lodge in Hyde Park and Growing Rooms, also based in the city centre.

The Crypt has been supporting the homeless and vulnerable people of Leeds since 1930.

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The charity has had to change the way it delivers frontline services during lockdown, including lunchtime meals, accommodation and drug and alcohol treatment.

Delivering pizzas to St George's Crypt (photo: Deliveroo).Delivering pizzas to St George's Crypt (photo: Deliveroo).
Delivering pizzas to St George's Crypt (photo: Deliveroo).

Volunteers are no longer permitted to work for the charity and its full service is now provided by a core staff team.

Those who used to sleep in the charity's dormitories have now been transferred to a hotel, along with others who are vulnerable and homeless.

Andrew Omond, its head of marketing and PR, said: "We are supporting 50 of the most vulnerable people in the city across three sites and they will really welcome such a lovely treat.

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"These times are extremely challenging for us all, and this is all the more for those who have lived in extreme isolation, with very low self-esteem and self-worth; kindness like this really boosts spirits and reminds people that they are special, that they are wanted, that they are also important.

"A massive thank-you to everyone at Deliveroo, Leeds United and the restaurants - our guys are really looking forward to it."

Paul Bell, Executive Director at Leeds United, said: “Leeds United are proud to be partnered with Deliveroo, initiatives such this and their efforts to provide food for the NHS staff and other key workers during the COVID-19 crisis is inspiring.

"There is no doubt that the residents of St George’s Crypt are amongst the most vulnerable in the country and are in desperate need of food - by providing these pizzas Deliveroo are easing the burden placed on the staff at St George’s Crypt and making sure the people who need it most are fed.”

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Deliveroo has been working with restaurant partners across the UK to secure donations of free food and will make these available to NHS staff and vulnerable groups.

Michael Healy, regional director of North UK and Ireland at Deliveroo, said: “We are proud to use the network we have built as a business to support the UK’s more vulnerable groups in the ways we can.

"St George's Crypt in Leeds are doing incredibly important work and we’re pleased we can provide them with hot meals in these unprecedented times.”

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