Over 100 people attend community lunch in Eastbourne for children who get free school meals

The community lunch was held in Leaf Hall Community Centre, Seaside Road, on Tuesday, October 27, and was specifically organised for children who receive free school meals. 120 people of all ages gathered at the community centre to enjoy homemade food and a Ukrainian Choir Malvy. Following on from this Jo from Moving Sounds had the children entranced and participating with her live performance.

The lunch was followed with homemade puddings and a variety of cakes. After these were served to everybody, the volunteers had the children making Halloween themed crafts for them to enjoy making and taking home

The event was organised by Our Neighbourhood and funded by a grant from Eastbourne Food Partnership. Clare Hackney-Ring, Chair of Our Neighbourhood said: “There were lots of happy

faces at Leaf Hall, a day to remember for so many. It was a huge success!

“This community event highlighted the great need for a lift within the building, with some guests sadly unable to enjoy the upstairs events because they couldn’t get up the stairs. Leaf Hall Trustees have been working very hard to achieve access for all to the building and this year achieved access for all to the ground floor via a disabled ramp but are currently £25,000 short of money needed to install the much-needed lift so everybody can enjoy the large upstairs hall.

“I would like to thank everybody involved, particularly Our Neighbourhood’s volunteer team, who worked so hard on this project for days, to Leaf Hall Trustees, and to Eastbourne Food Partnership for giving us a grant towards the costs. We would also like to thank Gather Community Garden and Rooted for their donated vegetables included within the lunch and used as table decorations.”