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Belfast Live
Belfast Live
National
Damien Edgar

Belfast barber "humbled" by community food donations

When Phil Allen spoke to Belfast Live last month, he wanted to highlight a service he was providing for people in East Belfast with his community fridge.

Since then, he says the response has been off the charts, with people getting in touch to offer help. "It's been humbling - we've had a massive response," he said.

"I've had people reach out to me looking for help, I've had people who can give help leaving stuff to the shop. I've had a gentleman leaving down fresh, cereal and tin produce - it's very humbling."

Read more: The Belfast barbershop giving back through community fridge

Phil says he has seen the impact the cost of living crisis is having on those people who were already struggling.

Having been homeless in London for part of his life, he says he knows all about just how difficult it can be for people to get access to help.

He says it is why he is so keen to have something in the shop that people can just come in and access without having to ask.

"We're Northern Irish people, we're proud and we wouldn't ask for much and this just stops people being exposed to nasty comments about needing help or anything," he added.

"The way I look at it, I've been there, I've struggled and I wasn't scared to ask for help, but there's plenty of other people out there who feel they can't.

"So I just leave it here for them and let them work away, get them in for a coffee, lift their shopping and away they go."

He said giving back is actually helping how he feels about himself too.

"These aren't greedy people, not by any stretch of the imagination, they are genuine people in need.

"I had nappy cream there the other day and the young mums were coming round and saying that's stuff that actually helps.

"It's been bloody amazing and I'm getting such satisfaction out of doing it.

"I've an anonymous friend and he donates for his local neighbours and I go round and do a shop for them and parcel it up and deliver it out.

"I keep some back for people I know who need it and I'll freeze that for them and get it out to them when they need it.

Phil is running a fun day for the community on Sunday, starting at 12.30pm on Bloomfield Avenue - the idea is that those attending bring food donations.

There will be a party bus and refreshments for kids and burgers and skewers for the adults.

"All I've asked people to do when they come down is to bring a bag of food with them," Phil added.

"I know sometimes if it's cash, people can feel funny about that so I would prefer if people just brought food donations, it's purely for the community.

"Whatever we get, I've crates here and we're going to divvy everything up and then parcel it all up.

"Then we'll go straight out into the area with the names and addresses of the people I have who are in need and others I know who might be struggling and we'll deliver it to those people."

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