Bishop's Stortford Lawn Tennis Club launches Operation Bounce Back for town's food bank

Bishop's Stortford Lawn Tennis Club (BSLTC) has served up more than 70 bags of donated food, toiletries and cleaning products to the town's food bank.

As a means to support local people in need, the club in Cricketfield Lane launched Operation Bounce Back in early November, when the England-wide lockdown forced it to close.

Judith Teall galvanised fellow members via WhatsApp and took the lead with the help of Jenny Rose.

Joys De Graaf, another member, said: "Our motivation was to give something back to our local community, particularly people that have been affected financially by the pandemic. We were also determined not to let the pandemic beat us but instead get the message out there that we can bounce back."

The club set up two drop-off points: one outside the closed clubhouse and one outside Northgate Primary School, as many parents use the Bishop's Stortford Sports Trust's car park during the school run.

During their month-long project, 16 BSLTC volunteers devised a rota where they worked in pairs and sorted, bagged up and dropped off donations at the food bank, at Bishop's Stortford Methodist Church in South Street.

Joys said: "We liaised with the manager at the food bank for guidance about the most popular items. Club members donated, among other things, baby wipes, anti-bac wipes, tinned goods, dry pasta, nappies, sanitary products, shampoo and [shower] gel."

BSLTC's aim is to donate 100 bags to the food bank. If you would like to donate to their cause, email administration@bsltc.co.uk.