Cllr Duncan

Green Cllr Ben Duncan is looking for support for the Brighton Unemployed Families' Centre Food Project, a local scheme he's raising money for when he runs the Brighton Marathon on April 18.

The project, based in central Brighton, offers healthy, vegan, hot food to unemployed families - sourcing as many of the ingredients as possible locally and organically. It is run almost entirely by volunteers - many of whom are themselves unemployed and developing some of the skills - and confidence - needed to help them back to work.

Much of the produce served is grown on the projects' two allotments in East Brighton . Eventually, it is hoped that all of their ingredients will be grown on the allotments: to this end teams of volunteers are tending them, planting, weeding and harvesting, day in day out. But they need help - specifically money with which to buy tools, seeds and other equipment - and to meet essential running costs like allotment fees and transport expenses.

Cllr Duncan said:
"I am trying to raise £400 for them - I hope to raise even more, but can't do so without your help. Anything you can give (or think running a marathon's worth!) would be much appreciated, by me, project volunteers and the unemployed families they help.

"I had hoped to set up a fundraising website to collect any sponsorship offers on behalf of the project, but I have been told it would cost them £200 just to set up an account, so I am collecting pledges 'the old fashioned way' - if you can help, please email me with your pledge and I'll work out how to collect it from you after the marathon (if I complete it!) next week."

To make a pledge email:
ben.duncan@brighton-hove.gov.uk