Lincoln primary school kitchen delivers hot meals for over 70s

A Lincoln primary school is helping local pensioners by providing healthy hot meals to over 70s during the coronavirus crisis.

The meals are cooked in Washingborough Academy’s award-winning kitchens before being placed in takeaway trays. They are then delivered for free and left at the door by volunteer parents.

More than a dozen residents of Washingborough, Heighington and Canwick have already signed up for the free delivery service, but the school is accepting more customers.

Anyone wishing to apply for the service can call the school on 01522 801355.

Harold Harvey, 87, first attended the school himself back in 1937 and has described the service as a “real life-line”.

He said: “It’s a fantastic thing the school are doing for the older residents like me. I’m really proud that my old school has stepped up and helped those in need. The meals have been a real life-line.”

Headteacher Jason O’Rourke added: “We take great pride in the healthy food we provide for our children and we wanted to do something to help our community so providing nutritional meals for those most vulnerable seemed a perfect solution.

“Currently we are delivering for 14 people but we have capacity to take on more. I would urge any elderly residents confined to their home to get in touch so we can help them.

“I’m delighted that staff and parents have joined together to help our local neighbourhoods and it goes to show what a united, committed and caring school community we have here in Washingborough.”

The school, which has 290 children, grows its own vegetables in the school grounds and has planted an orchard with 22 different varieties of apple trees.