Volunteers offer 'lifeline' by cooking free meals

Bea Maskery with her two-year-old son. She hopes her community cooking group will inspire others around the UK

Members of a Facebook group are providing a "lifeline" for dozens of people by cooking them free meals.

Cooking for Kindness was set up by Bea Maskery, from Bourne, Lincolnshire, in September and already has more than 1,400 followers.

Volunteers advertise freshly made meals in the group, which can then be collected or delivered to those in need.

Mrs Maskery said: "A lot of people come to us because they don't know where to turn. Food banks aren't great if you physically can't cook the meal."

Olivia Bratley is among members of the community who have benefited from the group

The group began as a place for people to share food they did not need, but the majority of volunteers now cook for people who are struggling to afford food or cannot cook for themselves.

Grace Theunissen, from Market Deeping, is among those making a little bit extra to serve members of the community.

She said the volunteers were "everyday people" and it made her "feel so good" to be taking part.

"I think a lot of people would carry on struggling without this help," she added.

The group was set up on 11 September, but already has more than 1,400 members

The volunteers are delivering five to six meals a day and have helped about 50 people since they began.

Olivia Bratley, 49, has been receiving home-cooked meals from members of the group over the past month.

"It's been a lifeline for me and everyone in this community," Ms Bratley said. "It helps us all out."

Cooking for Kindness has already expanded to other areas of Lincolnshire, including Market Deeping, Spalding and Grantham.

And while the volunteers stress people should not come to rely on them, they hope that the idea will expand around the UK.

"I didn't think it would take off like this, it's just been incredible," said Mrs Maskery.

"I've had people crying on my doorstep, they're just so grateful and overwhelmed with the kindness."

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