'Inspiring' food poverty charity given funding boost

An "inspiring" food charity can meet "growing demand" for free hot meals thanks to a funding boost, its founder has said.

Aishah's Food Charity was set up by Aishah Ahmed in 2023, who noticed people struggling to afford food due to rising costs in Weston-super-Mare, north Somerset.

Her charity is benefiting from the Comic Relief community fund, money Ahmed said is "super important" in supporting local families and homeless people.

Celebrity chef Dean Edwards is also supporting Aishah's work, saying: "I think Aishah and her family are absolutely incredible, the fact that they are helping the community and giving them incredible food is just so inspiring."

Working with her father Syed Ahmed, Aishah cooks more than 150 free meals at his restaurant Pappadoms Takeaway each week, which are handed out to people in need.

"You see new faces but you see the same as well, it is sad because you see the demand is growing," Aishah said.

"These are low income families with young children, how are they supposed to provide for them?"

Red Nose Day is the national fundraising campaign that raises money for Comic Relief, the UK charity which funds organisations tackling poverty and hardship in the UK and around the world.

In England, funding is distributed to grassroots groups through the Comic Relief Community Fund programme.

"The funding is super important, without it we couldn't make as many curries or get the ingredients, the packaging most of it really," Aishah added.

Lewis, who visits the charity regularly, said: "The food just keeps you going, I was homeless and this place has been so good."

Toni is an ex-service user and now volunteers with the charity.

"Aishah is great she does a lot for the community, so many people come here, it is nice to also just have a chit chat," she said.

Chef Dean Edwards said he wanted to lend his support to highlight the work being done locally.

"I've seen it first-hand now the work that Aishah is doing and the difference it is making to the community is incredible," he added.

Red Nose Day returns on Friday 20.

Follow BBC Bristol on Facebook, X and Instagram. Send your story ideas to us on email or via WhatsApp on 0800 313 4630.