OTLEY 2030 and its volunteers have completed their 8th fruit and vegetable delivery - distributing fresh food to almost 100 households around the town.

This time, in response to the concern that some Otley people would be choosing whether to buy food or heat their homes this winter, the community group also gathered donations of warm hats, gloves and scarves for all ages, as well as blankets and draught excluders.

“We were delighted with the response from the fantastic people of Otley,” said volunteer Shannon Coles, who organises the veg box scheme. “We received so many lovely, warm woollies and blankets and they were very gratefully received when we delivered our veg boxes last Tuesday.”

The group crowdfunded more than £700 to buy fruit and vegetables to deliver to families, older people and vulnerable adults who are struggling to pay bills this winter. Thanks to many donations there were lots of winter warmers left over, which have now been sent to an organisation in Leeds, which will distribute them to people living on the streets.

In 2022 the Otley 2030 team will be focusing on bringing the town together to become a carbon zero town, so they are handing over the organisation of the scheme to Otley Action for Older People, who are offering their logistics expertise.

Otley 2030, with the help of the Town Partnership, Otley Churches Together and the Rotary Club, will continue to handle the fundraising for the scheme. Market stallholders Simon and Becky will continue to make a major contribution to the delivery days and most of the Otley 2030 volunteers will still be involved.

Shannon Coles said: “Rising heating bills this winter mean that some Otley people will be having to make a choice between staying warm or eating healthy food. For as long as this is the case, we want to support the fantastic Otley Food Bank by helping with school holiday deliveries of fresh fruit and veg. We are really grateful to Otley Action for Older People for helping us to continue to do this.”

Shannon extended the team's heartfelt thanks everyone who helped with the scheme or who made donations.

“We’re making a real difference to older and vulnerable people and hard-working families struggling to make ends meet. It has only been possible to make so many deliveries over the past year because our lovely community has supported us all the way.”

The fundraiser is still open, and the next delivery is planned for Tuesday, December 21. Vist https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/otleyvegbox to donate money for the Christmas fruit and veg box. To find out more about Otley 2030 go to www.otley2030.com, or email hello@otley2030.com for more information.