Newlywed couple help feed vulnerable families across Edinburgh and the Lothians

A young couple from the Wisp area of Edinburgh have rallied their community to ensure that vulnerable families and individuals can escape food insecurity during lockdown.

Darren, 27, and Megan Rodgers, 29, on their Covid wedding day

Darren Rodgers, 27, and Megan Rodgers, 29, from the Wisp area of Edinburgh, were sparked into action after Darren witnessed a young mother leaving a foodbank with very little earlier in the week.

As a result, the couple and their four children say that their hearts were broken and that they decided they must do whatever they can to help.

Darren said: “I was at work two days ago and saw a young mum with her two kids walking away from a local food bank with literally no food. It broke my heart. I couldn’t stop thinking about it all night when I got home.”

One of the shops they have carried out so far.

Darren is the owner of Dr Valet in Sighthill and his wife Megan works as a clinical support worker in critical care.

He added: “My wife and I decided we have to help some way, somehow. We went out to Lidl and Aldi last night and bought a scary amount of food to donate to food banks. We also had a lot of people turning up to our house with bags of food. So far we have raised over £500 which will be split between food banks across Edinburgh and the Lothians.

“Sometimes we take for granted what we have in life, moan about our jobs, moan because Asda doesn’t have the chicken we were looking for, but it’s all been put into perspective for us that we have is more than enough.

“Is it too much to ask that families are able to make themselves a decent dignified meal without having to worry about where their next meal will come from?

Darren and Megan, who tied the knot during the pandemic, criticised governments for spending astronomical amounts on failed Covid-19 projects whilst families go without food.

They said: “If the government isn't going to help then we all need to try and do our part as a community and get food on these families' tables.”Anyone seeking assistance or to donate can contact Darren and Megan in confidence on Dr Valet Edinburgh’s Facebook page or at: [email protected].

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