Regent’s Park workout sessions held to raise money for food deliveries

A West Hampstead economist has built on the success of her hot meals initiative during lockdown, by running a well-attended workout to raise money for future “comfort deliveries”. And so far she has raised more than £1,100. 

Deborah Abram and her sister Katie made more than 800 shepherd’s pies during lockdown and found eager recipients, many of them elderly and living alone, through a Facebook page for north-west London.

She said: “I noticed that many of those on my list of deliveries were elderly and alone, but they knew that they were being thought about, which made them feel special and really cheered them up”. 

So Deborah, who works as an economist in Savill’s property company, decided to hold a HIT (high intensity training) workout session in Regent’s Park, where people could take part and then make donations towards future batches and packages she makes. Her initiative, she said, had made such a noticeable difference to recipients, that she decided to continue even though lockdown had eased.

During lockdown, she began adding to the packages with new touches such as challah rolls or newspapers. She said she was overwhelmed with people who wanted to help, particularly in delivering the food: “Those that helped during lockdown with deliveries received as much satisfaction as those benefiting from the meals and packages”. 

Besides the donations from the park workout, which took place on September 6, Deborah has raised £1,100 through a Just Giving page she set up. She’s also launched an Instagram account to give updates on future events and deliveries — @something_special_da — or donations may be made via Just Giving.