A REDDITCH content creator has donated a van to a community food bank.
Mark McCann who runs a YouTube channel about cars, has used the cash he earned from a sponsorship deal to buy, insure, and tax a van for the Friends of Isaac Foodbank.
During the pandemic, 10-year-old Isaac Winfield set-up the food bank with the support of his mum Claire with the simple premise of donate what you can, take what you need.
The foodbank has been well-used and loved by others in the neighbourhood. What started out as a chest in Isaac’s garden has grown into three sheds and a Facebook group.
When looking for someone to help, Mark went to his local Facebook page to ask the community to suggest someone who went above and beyond for the town.
He said a remarkable amount of people suggested Isaac and his foodbank.
“I rang his mom, who is a single parent to see how it all worked.
“I just said I was interested to help, but I gave nothing away about the van.
“She said they had help from a few supermarkets and they struggled to collect the donations and that they could no longer deliver to those in need who were not in their immediate area.
“They had been using the family car, but because of the car and the costs they have now stopped doing that.”
Mark purchased the van, had it sign written, the covered the cost of the tax, and will provide the fuel.
He has also secured free car insurance from A-Plan.
He added: “I hope to use our social media reach to get more support including organised runs to areas to collect food from around Redditch.
“Me and my team will drive the van and make some collections.”
Mark delivered the van to a surprised Isaac and his mum.
Claire-Louise said: “Thank you also to everyone who supports us, the team behind the scenes that make the magic happen, and those who nominated Isaac to receive a gift.
“Words cannot explain how incredibly grateful we are and the difference it will make to Isaac’s project and in turn the lives of those who need us.”
Visit youtube.com/c/MarkMcCann64/videos to watch the video of Isaac receiving the van.
