A group of community organisations came together this week to deliver an event to address the issue of food insecurity and provide some festive fun for young people from across the city.
The ‘Eat BMX Repeat’ initiative saw Liverpool-based social enterprise Food For Thought join forces with Peloton Liverpool’s BMX Box L5, Transport Amateur Boxing Club and West Everton Community Council.
To mark the first three days of the Christmas holidays, the free event, at Everton Pump Track, invited children from across the city to try BMX biking on a custom-made outdoor track, have fun and make new friends, before enjoying a free hot meal and some festive treats.
Food For Thought, a unique not-for-profit school meals company owned and managed by its partner schools, provided freshly made hot meals each day. Participants tucked into curry and rice, scouse with crusty bread and lasagne, as well as enjoying hot drinks with sandwiches, mince pies, fresh fruit and chocolate yule log for pudding.
Peloton Liverpool, which developed the BMX Box L5, provided free bike and helmet hire for children and young people, along with coaching, while Transport Amateur Boxing Club kindly allowed guests to use its toilet facilities over the course of the three-day event. Hand sanitiser was donated by West Everton Community Council (WECC) who also supported the event.
Tom Lambeth, from Food For Thought, said:
“This year has been incredibly difficult for so many families across the city and we wanted to give them a Christmas Gift , an event that would provide a fun start to the holidays and ensure that the children and young people involved had access to a nutritious hot meal for the first few days of the school break.
“The ‘Eat BMX Repeat’ initiative was created to offer an enjoyable family experience, as well as access to hot food during the holidays. It was a successful and truly collaborative few days, with suppliers donating produce and people offering their skills, equipment and time to make it a reality.
“We would like to thank everyone who was involved and we look forward to working with Peloton Liverpool, Transport ABC, WECC, community members and the local Council representatives on similar events in the new year.”
Dan Robinson from Peloton Liverpool, said:
“This time of year, the track always feels that bit more exciting, schools just finished, days are crisp and perfect for a couple of hours BMX buzz. Now with the addition of Food for Thought it feels like a complete event and it’s great to have a small taste of normality.”
Jane Corbett, Cllr for the Everton Ward and the Assistant Mayor for Fairness and Tackling Poverty, said:
“This event is a wonderful Christmas gift to the children and young people of Everton, a great example of communities and organisations ‘coming together for a fairer future’. Brilliant!”
Chris Edmonds, from Transport ABC, said:
“Everyone at Transport Boxing Club is pleased to be working with all involved for such a good project, especially at Christmas time.”
For more information on upcoming events follow Food For Thought on Twitter @fftliverpool
