VOLUNTEERS delivering meals to vulnerable people have been disappointed by a lack of action from the city council.

When lockdown hit, those in Winchester who usually receive food from charities were left without that help.

Debbie Lockett, who runs FirstBite Community Food Project, was contacted by Red Radish – a Hampshire backstage catering company – to fill the gap.

Since then, around 30 cyclists have delivered meals to around 100 people each night, and at its peak was supplying 1,500 weekly meals, but the provision is about to end.

In May, the Salvation Army stopped providing a list of those in need and volunteers reached out to Winchester City Council (WCC) for support.

Co-ordinator Martin Wilson said 14 councillors came to see what the project does and he asked the council to provide a list of vulnerable people in need.

But weeks after, the volunteers have not had a response and the project has been forced to close.

“WCC could have stepped up to the plate and sorted out who these vulnerable people were as most live in their properties.

“It is disappointing that these people have seemingly slipped through the net.”

Debbie said: “Its been an incredible community voluntary effort, everyone has pulled together to make this happen. People have been so grateful to get a meal – some of them every evening.”

In response, a spokesperson for WCC said: “We have been really pleased to work in partnership with Red Radish, FirstBite and a fantastic team of volunteers to provide hot meals. This specific scheme is coming to an end as Red Radish return to business.

“Local residents who received hot meals have been contacted and alternative arrangements have been put in place for those who continue to need support.”