Comedian Jon Richardson has filmed a video with an Accrington day care centre in order to promote a food charity.
The Lancaster comedian has joined forces with FareShare to produce promotional films for its work preventing food waste and tackling food poverty.
Giving his time for free, he has now fronted a series of films hoping to raise the charity’s profile.
The comic and writer, best known for 8 Out of 10 Cats and sitcom Meet The Richardsons, visited Accrington day care provider, Motiv8-lancs CIC Centre, back in March where filming took place for the promotional videos.
He also visited community centre, The Intact Centre, in Preston.
These groups use food from FareShare as part of community support services and activities for adults with learning disabilities.
Tracy Robinson, one of the organisation’s directors, said: “He was really friendly and opened up about how his mum worked in the care industry, so we think he had a greater understanding of what our organisation it is really about.
“We sang and signed a Makaton version of The Greatest Showman’s ‘A Million Dreams’ and he really got stuck in.
“He told us he really enjoyed his time here and as it gave him a greater understanding of what we do and the people we help.”
FareShare takes surplus stock from food retailers and their supply chain to redistribute to charities and community groups.
Supporting more than 125 groups across Lancashire and Cumbria alone, it both reduces food waste and helps groups to tackle food poverty.
The Food Redistribution Centre last year redistributed the equivalent of three million meals, preventing more than 1,262 tonnes of quality food from going to waste.
Working with producers from Visualised It, FareShare and Jon have created five films aimed at educating people, attracting volunteers, and influencing politicians and food retailers as well as championing the work of member groups.
Jon said: “FareShare is such an incredible organisation and offering them support is a shortcut to helping fight a huge number of problems.
“If you care about fighting climate change by stopping food going to landfill, if you care about feeding hungry children, if you want to help people with disabilities live independently, if you care about bringing together isolated individuals to laugh around a dinner table, then you can do all these things by helping FareShare.
“I loved making these films and meeting the people who make FareShare what it is and who have worked tirelessly throughout the pandemic and since.
"I hope these videos will shine a light on the incredible work they do and the work of the charities they support.
“I hope they can be seen by individuals looking to volunteer or donate, businesses who can improve their practices, and politicians who can shape our future to better resolve these issues before they occur.”
The films were created in partnership with FareShare Yorkshire, with recipe videos filmed in its Full Crumb Kitchen.
Alasdair Jackson, chief executive of Recycling Lives Charity, which delivers the Food Redistribution on behalf of FareShare, added: “We’ve a great story to tell about tackling hunger and reducing waste so we’re really pleased Jon is supporting us to do that. We hope these films will be informative and inspiring.
“The visits from Jon were also a real boost for our team and member groups. They’ve had an unbelievable couple of years, facing sky high demand from people through Covid and now the cost-of-living crisis.
“To have a visit and genuine enthusiasm from a high-profile supporter was an extra reward for all their efforts. We’re all very grateful to Jon.”
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