Henry's generous food donations

Alanah Reid, Creative Content Producer

9-year-old Henry’s collected food for One Can Trust Food Bank for the past two years, after worrying people would go without food in the pandemic.

Henry set up a 'drop off point' outside his house and asked people to donate when they passed by on their daily walks. He talked about the project with his school, Beavers, and Cubs, and neighbours. He made social media posts to spread the word and encouraged people to become 'Street Heroes.'

He’s appeared on ITV and Sky television, who called him ‘an inspiration.’ At Christmas, he asked Santa to make sure everyone had food, and he’s designing a badge to sell to help everyone who relies on One Can Trust.

We chatted with Henry to find out more.

A Beaver in uniform with badges and a necker is holding his hand in the Scout salute in front of a fence. A sign behind him says 'Please Donate Here' and in front of him are lots of cans and tins of long-life food. — Henry was over the moon to see so many kind donations from his community

Why did you choose to help One Can Trust?

I decided to help during the COVID-19 pandemic. I used to put cans in the food bank baskets at the supermarket, but when lockdown started, I was worried there wouldn’t be many donations and people would go hungry.

What did you do to collect the food?

I put a box outside my house and asked my village if they could drop food off when they passed by on their daily walks. My box was overflowing with cans! My parents then take the food to the warehouse to be sorted.

When I asked for help on social media, that encouraged others to do the same where they lived. Soon, there were over 100 people doing it. They called us ‘Street Heroes.’

Henry's wearing his Cub uniform and a necker, and is holding a 'Congratulations' certificate. He stands next to Chief Scout Bear Grylls, with both of them smiling at the camera. — Henry was chosen as one of Chief Scout Bear Grylls’ Unsung Heroes 2022

What does it mean to be a Street Hero?

A Street Hero is someone who collects food at their house and brings it to the warehouse so it can be sorted and given to people who need it.

Did you ever want to give up and what made you keep going?

No, I never wanted to give up. I know how many people it’s helping, and the numbers keep going up, so I know I can’t stop. When I was a Beaver, I made a promise to help others and that’s what I’m doing.

I’ve also loved getting special certificates, and meeting Bear Grylls was amazing. I can’t believe he chose me as one of his Unsung Heroes.

Henry's wearing his Beavers uniform with a necker, holding both his thumbs up and smiling at the camera. He's standing in front of a car boot which has lots of bags of shopping in. — Henry after packing lots of food donations into his parents’ car

Did your Scouts group support you and how?

Yes. We’ve had collections and I’ve done a presentation with One Can Trust. I’ve also been awarded badges, which I love to get.

Is there anything else you’d like to do next?

I want to keep collecting food donations and making sure no one is hungry. I’d like to help sort food in the warehouse, too. I’d also like to design a badge, so other Scouts can learn about food banks and how to donate to them.

Henry, you’ve been brilliant. Well done for being a true hero and helping those who need it. We can’t wait to see what you get up to next!

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