A LOCKDOWN initiative, for London Masons to provide 800 free hot meals a week to vulnerable people, has now passed the 10,000 mark.

The meals have been delivered in partnership with Covid 19 Mutual Aid Ealing and Southall and Ealing Homeless Refuge.

The initiative is backed by Ealing Central and Acton MP Rupa Huq, who visited the West London Masonic Centre to hear about the results.

People in need of help have been identified by the council, youth centres, women's refuges and Ealing Mutual Aid Group.

One recipient, Elizabeth Casson, of Hanwell, said: “I cannot get to shops and I’ve found it almost impossible to order any groceries online.  In fact, I have only had one small supermarket grocery delivery in 10 weeks. 

“For the first couple of weeks, I had supplies in the house and some neighbours helped by getting some items from the shops, but receiving this food really does help to supplement it.”

A total of £25,000 in funding was given by the London Freemasons Charity and Masonic Charitable Foundation Covid-19 Fund.