London Lions continue partnership with London charity City Harvest to provide thousands of free school meals

London Lions continue partnership with London charity City Harvest to provide thousands of free school meals Fans will be asked to donate rather than pay for tickets for the Lions’ BBL clash on 26 January, having already provided 12,000 meals through this initiative during a EuroCup fixture last year London Lions player, Jonathan Komagum, talks about his own experience receiving free meals when he was younger and the importance of the partnership to combat child poverty in London Hi Katrina,

I hope you’re well today and that this is of interest. Do let me know if you would be interested in speaking to a representative from the London Lions or City Harvest.

The London Lions have announced a continuation of their partnership with London-based food distribution charity, City Harvest, for the Lions’ BBL game against Cheshire Phoenix on January 26 at the Copper Box Arena. The game will see all proceeds from ticket sales being donated to the charity who rescue nutritious surplus food from manufacturers, suppliers, producers and retailers, and deliver, for free, to 375+ London charities feeding those facing food poverty.

This is the second time both organisations have come together to offer this initiative, after the Lions waived all attendance fees for their EuroCup fixture at the OVO Arena Wembley on November 1 last year, also favouring donations for the charity. Over £3,000 was raised from the game – providing over 12,000 free meals for children supported by City Harvest.

The partnership marks the latest initiative from the London-based team as they aim to make an impact not only on the court but also in their community. City Harvest aid nutrition and sustainability by providing life-changing support to communities in every London borough through food donations and reducing greenhouse gas emissions from waste.

Pictured above, schoolchildren from the Cyril Jackson School in Tower Hamlets receive food donations from City Harvest, credit: Rod Kirkpatrick

Pictured above, London Lions player Jonathan Komagum

It is estimated by Action for Children that there are 3.9 million children living in poverty in the UK with the current cost of living expected to further exacerbate those figures. Adding to this, recent research by the Labour-run London Assembly finds that London boroughs make up five out of the top ten UK areas with the highest level of child poverty. Child food poverty rates in Tower Hamlets, for example, are close to double the national average, according to a report from City Hall.

Sarah Calcutt, CEO of City Harvest comments on the new partnership:

“The London Lions fans helped provide nutritious food for over 12,000 meals by donating at November’s match. City Harvest believes that children should thrive not survive, and right now 25% of London families are facing food insecurity. Food unites us, and we know that wherever a meal is served, there will be comfort, support and friendship. A ticket purchased for £2 funds 8 meals, you can make such a difference.”

Lenz Balan, Vice President of 777, owners of the London Lions, added:

“We are focused on making an impact not only on the court but also in our community and hope that the fans will help get behind this initiative. The game at the OVO Arena Wembley marked a momentous occasion as it was just the second EuroCup game to be played in the UK since 2007 and the donations raised from the game provided over 12,000 free meals for children through City Harvest. We are excited to team up with City Harvest again for our game on January 26 to help provide more free meals for children supported by the charity.”

Jonathan Komagum, London Lions player comments:

“I grew up and lived in a place called Ferrier Estate which was in Kidbrooke and I attended Holy Family Primary School. I received free school meals when I was there because my father left when I was younger and so I was being raised by my mum and there were three other siblings so four children in total. Of course, my mum had four children to take care of and as a result of our circumstance we had free school meals.

“There is a lot of child poverty that is happening in England right now – caused by the cost of living crisis, prices going up and people not making enough money to allow them to get by. The crisis is very real and I feel that the London Lions partnership with City Harvest is a great thing as there are a lot of families in need for just the little things. When it comes to food, clothes, shelter, a lot families are finding it very tough, especially in London and hopefully this partnership will help that improve.”