The people behind mystery food parcels at bus stops in Liverpool have been found.
Andrew Dobie, 38, "thought it was a nice gesture" and wondered who was behind it until he saw a post in a Facebook group - Speke Past and Present - echoing his curiosity. One commenter shared a link to Helping L24, a group run Ashley Jones and Teri-Ann Carnall.
The two 31-year-olds started the parcel drops in Speke on a whim one "cold" and "gloomy" night a few weeks ago. Ashley told the ECHO: "It was cold one evening and I'd been sorting the cupboard for Christmas. I had a few tins of soups and stuff, and I was going to the shop, so I said, 'You know what, I'll leave a few in the bus stop, see if anyone needs them'. I left them and I went back a couple of hours later and they'd gone."
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Since then they've continued filling and distributing parcels of tinned food, fresh fruit and vegetables, and rice and pasta. Parcels, dropped at bus stops or directly to people in need, may also include toiletries and clothes. Previously curious observers like Andrew now help with delivering the packages.
Andrew said: "There are a lot of people struggling at the moment, but also, there are people similar to myself who wanted to help but weren't sure how. They've gone out on a limb and put themselves out there as a focal point. It's a very courageous thing to do."
Many of the people who Helping L24 support with food parcels or clothes donations are single mums and elderly people who have to choose between heating and eating. One mum couldn't even take her son out in the icy weather until she got a suitable coat from Helping L24, according to Ashley.
Another commented anonymously in the Facebook group saying the world would be a better place if more people were like Ashley and Teri-Ann. They wrote: "I would like to say a massive thank you to Ashley and Teri-Ann for their amazing food hamper. I wasn't expecting so much - hot dogs, sausages, meatballs, a range of toiletries including sanitary products, biscuits and sweets for the kids, fresh fruit and veg.
"You really, really have helped a single mum out I can't thank you enough, especially as these times are so hard and we have to choose whether to eat or heat. You have taken the pressure off, so thank you so, so much. Keep up the good work. I wish there were more people like you about, the world would be a better place."
Ashley, who also runs free boxing classes for kids with Teri-Ann, cries at posts like this. She said: "It just makes me emotional, it makes me happy to help them. Luckily me and Teri-Ann have had a good upbringing, we've never been in this situation. The cost of living is heartbreaking. Even working people are going to work and they're struggling."
Helping L24 is also collecting donations of toys, pyjamas and clothes to give "a shoebox of presents" to people "struggling to have a nice Christmas". They couldn't have done what they have so far without the support of local people and businesses in Speke, which Ashley has found "overwhelming".
You can support Helping L24 - Foodbank by clicking here.
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