Southall Samaritan

Work area manager, Arun Kumar, from International Logistic Centre (ILC) has been volunteering his time to help vulnerable and needy customers in Southall, west London.

Every evening at 6pm, Arun and a small team of friends and colleagues go on their rounds providing free hot meals and essentials to the homeless as well as customers who are elderly, vulnerable, and unable to leave their homes.

‘I buy the meals with my wages and savings,’ said Arun, who has worked for Royal Mail since 2007. ‘The food is provided by local restaurants in Southall, who give me 50 per cent discounts. Friends and colleagues also give me food donations that they have very kindly cooked at home for me to distribute to the needy.

‘I also send free hot meals to the homes of senior citizens, who are unable to come to collect donations due to their age and other health factors.’

Arun started his charity work in March and intends to continue throughout the duration of the pandemic and into the foreseeable future. He receives notifications about the whereabouts of vulnerable people who need his help from the Indian High Commission, the local job centre and the Met Police.

‘We are 100 per cent self-funded,’ he added. ‘And we would welcome any support, particularly in the form any spare time people may have, to help us distribute basic essentials to the people who need it most.’