SHP Group celebrates National Banana Day with fruit donations

SHP Group has donated boxes of fresh fruit for hundreds of schoolchildren and families in celebration of National Banana Day.

To mark the event on 16 April, SHP Group donated and delivered hundreds of bananas to Kettering Foodbank, which puts together vital donations for families and those in need in Northamptonshire. The charity, which is manned by dedicated volunteers, struggles to have access to fresh fruit for its service users.

Kettering Foodbank trustee Jane Calcott said: “We are so grateful to receive the boxes of bananas. It was wonderful to be able to hand out and distribute such fabulous fresh fruit and include the bananas in the parcels we put together every week.”

Youngsters attending the popular Pacesetter Sports and Wellbeing sessions staged at Redwell Primary School in Wellingborough also receved a tasty treat when their donations were delivered.

Hundreds of bananas were delivered to help fuel activities by youngsters attending the Pacesetter Sports and Wellbeing sessions, where the company’s philosophy is to “enrich and enhance children’s physical and mental health through sport”.

With bananas providing a healthy boost for the busy children at the club, the nutrient-packed fruit proved the perfect snack. Holiday clubs and term-time sessions are attended by hundreds of children as the company works in over 50 schools across Northamptonshire, Bedfordshire, Buckinghamshire and Leicestershire.

Pacesetter Sports’ MD Tom Frampton said: “The bananas were distributed among our four holiday club venues. All of the children at the clubs at the four venues received the bananas. We have children of parents who have booked direct, plus three of the venues have welcomed HAF (Holiday Activities and Food) children at the clubs – these children receive food during the club, so this donation is greatly received as it provides as extra nutritious snack for the children accessing the HAF clubs.

“The children (and the coaches) loved receiving the fruit. A huge thank you to SHP Group! This has helped to provide a snack, not only to all of the children at the clubs but also to the HAF children without it costing us, the parents or the DfE any money. The quality of the bananas was very high, I was impressed!”

David Bateman, MD at SHP Group, added: “We were delighted to distribute bananas to the charity and community groups in the region. It is one of the many ways SHP Group supports clubs, charities and organisations in our communities.”

*The HAF programme provides free, enriching activities and nutritious meals to eligible children and young people during school holidays, primarily those receiving benefits-related free school meals.”