OTLEY 2030’s Fruit and Veg box team were out in force during the recent half- term break.

The group is fundraising to be able to continue its healthy support packages into the long summer holiday in July.

The community and climate action group, which is supported by Otley Town Council and is working towards a fair and sustainable carbon-zero town by 2030, extended a big thank you to people in Otley for their support in making another fruit and veg box delivery possible.

Helped by a team of 24 volunteers the team packed and delivered to 120 households around Otley on Tuesday June 1.

“We had a lovely morning packing in the sunshine outside the church,” said Shannon Coles, who helps to organise the scheme each school holiday. “We now have 24 people on our packer/driver list, and they’re a brilliant collection of volunteers.

“We were outside Bridge Street church by 7.30am and at 9am we started packing on tables outside. Many of our ‘regular’ packers were on holiday, so we welcomed three or four new people and quickly formed ourselves into a lean, mean, packing machine. All of our rounds were packed and dispatched by mid-morning, the clear-up was underway, and everything was done and dusted by noon.

“Working with so many friendly, committed people is such a joy: from the early morning delivery of the fruit and veg, as the mist rises off the Chevin, until the last round gets packed into a car boot, this is a good day and good work is being done. We are none of us doing this for charity, we believe that people should be able to buy their own fruit and veg, but we recognise that in the meantime they could do with a hand.”

The group thanked Bridge Street Church, which continues to accommodate them. It also thanked Simon and Becky from the market fruit and vegetable stall, Like Nana Did, Casa Di Alessia and countless other donors.

“The final thank you must go to our totally brilliant team of packers and drivers,” said Shannon. “They smile through mix ups and muddles and carry on regardless – they know we’re doing something really important”

Visit https://gofund.me/f67de333 to donate to help the Otley 2030 team deliver fresh food again this summer.