Heywood postman’s fancy dress fundraising for foodbank

Walking around town as a parrot, monkey and even a kangaroo might seem strange to some people but not to Steven Kay, a postman from Heywood.

With the aim to raise as much money as possible for Heywood foodbank, Mr Kay has been delivering post in fancy dress costumes since the start of lockdown in March 2020, even throughout May - one of sunniest and driest months on record for Greater Manchester.

A regular fundraiser for the charity, Steven has been helping the foodbank provide their service for over four years, especially at Christmas time when, last year, he raised over £1,000 to help buy supplies. Most recently, Steven organised a bag packing event at Morrisons and recruited eight volunteers, however this was all put on hold due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

Knowing the foodbank would be needed throughout this crisis more than ever and with most volunteers being aged 70+, Steven thought of an entertaining way to raise much-needed funds over the next few months.

 

 

He said: "Before the pandemic there were about 50 users at the foodbank, but now there are more. The volunteers there are absolutely fantastic so I wanted to help.

“The most recent fancy-dress as the parrot raised £116 for Heywood foodbank; I’ve raised around £2,700 since lockdown.

“I’ve always collected for the foodbank when I can, I’d say for the last four or five years, especially at Christmas time. The foodbank always has items donated in December, but I know that come January and February time they have very little again. So, I put all my energy and focus into fundraising more regularly.

"Thank you so much to everyone for their support, including several businesses such as Direct Fencing, M&M Joiners and Builders, and Falcon Fires who have all donated.

“I’ve received a lot of love on my rounds. I hope I raised a smile and community spirit.”

 

 

Bernadette Gee, volunteer at Heywood foodbank, said: “Steven Kay - our superstar fundraising postman. He has raised nearly £3,000 this year for Heywood foodbank.

“He does his postal round in various forms of fancy dress in such hot weather and has also been doing online football cards - all for the foodbank. He collects donations of food from some of his customers too and drops them off. He does it all with a smile and a laugh.

“He brings joy to many with his boundless energy, all this whilst delivering our post.

“Stevens fundraising has helped us immensely over the last few months as the number of foodbank users is increasing month on month. We just could not run the foodbank without people like Steven - we cannot thank him enough.

“He is a star.”

If you want to support Heywood foodbank visit their web site for details:

• heywoodfoodbank.com