COMMUNITY spirit is thriving in Newbridge, where people have come together to support those less fortunate - with a project called ‘tin on the wall’.

The idea came from Paula Webber Davies two weeks ago and after a social media post, dozens of streets in the town took part.

South Wales Argus:

A tin on the wall ready for collection

Jayne Jeremiah - who helped Mrs Webber Davies get the idea off the ground - said: “Paula mentioned the idea to me and I said I would help, and it just spread like wildfire with more than 20 streets involved.

“Paula set up a Facebook page and I put a post out to say what was being done and asked if any streets in Newbridge wanted to be involved.

"Word soon spread and we had streets in Pantside, Crumlin, Treowen, Pentwynmawr and Oakdale asking to be part of it.

South Wales Argus:

Matthew Churcher helping to organise the many donations collected through the tin on the wall campaign

“So many other streets and places have also got in touch to join in, and it would be wonderful for as many different areas to get involved and donate to their local food banks, to allow a lot more people to benefit.”

Mrs Jeremiah said the community has embraced the idea and it has sent some of them down memory lane.

“Everyone in our community were sad that the clap for carers came to an end on a Thursday and all said that this was something nice to replace it as so many people are out of work or on lower earnings," she said.

"Some said that it reminded them of people collecting for communities when the miners went on strike.”

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The project involves people placing tins or long-lasting food on their walls or by their gates and volunteers pick up the tins while on their daily exercise on a Thursday - adhering to social distancing rules at all times.

South Wales Argus:

Hope and Mia Davies with some of the donations they collected

The donations are being given to Pantside Food Bank and those involved have been blown away by the donations.

Mrs Jeremiah said: “We asked for a tin on the wall and people have been leaving carrier bags full of donations.

“It’s really helping the food bank.”

For more information visit the Facebook group Tin On A Wall - For Pantside Food Bank https://www.facebook.com/groups/723442661742979/

South Wales Argus:

Some of the donations

Mrs Jeremiah and her parents Wendy and Adrian Hussey, along with Matthew Churcher, have been dating and storing the donations in the foodbank while adhering to social distancing measures.

Pantside Food Bank is based in St Peter’s Church in Pantside and opens on Tuesdays between 10am and 12pm. It is open to areas outside of Pantside and welcomes anyone who needs help. They will receive a pre-packaged bag full of tinned food, dried food, potatoes and bread.

They also can arrange delivery to those in shielding or unable to get to them - this has recently included a delivery of 30 packages to Pantside's old age complex.