If anyone can – Welland can!
Have you heard of the weekly community lunches at the Parish Hall? Zest4Life is going from strength to strength, and they are now supporting a new initiative, collecting tin cans for Ukraine.
Published: 11 September 2025
Our volunteer team, who bring a lot of fun and laughter to our new Zest4Life lunch club, have now started a new initiative to collect empty food tins to send to Ukraine. In these turbulent times, we’ve learned that something as simple as a tin can will be used to make trench candles for troops providing essential warmth and light when conventional resources are scarce. We have a collection box in the parish hall entrance so if you have clean, empty cans (no lids but labels can stay on) please drop them off and they will be collected regularly. We are hoping to involve a few more venues and will keep you up to date via our social media and parish council website.
Martin Lawrence, who runs the lunch club, was interviewed by BBC Radio Hereford and Worcester recently about the campaign and the impact the lunch club is having. “We’re loving our new base here in Welland,” says Martin. “I’m thrilled with our growing attendance numbers for lunch and it’s always great fun.” The lunch club meets every Wednesday at Welland village hall at 1.30pm and costs just £6 for a two course lunch with tea, coffee or water. There’s also a food giveaway courtesy of Waitrose and a raffle! For more information call Martin on 07505 053175 or email him at martinlawrence4chase@gmail.com
Photo: From L to R shows Martin Lawrence, Zest4Life organiser, volunteer Valentyna Haines, BBC reporter Bethany Gwilliam and Welland parish councillor Madeleine Sumner.