IT MAY only be June but an 11-year-old Solihull boy already has his sights set on food parcel donations for Christmas.
Ryan Hulance, whose philanthropic business – We Can – sells empty drinks cans to a recycling centre to buy supplies for Solihull foodbank network, will be taking on a 50km trek to fund a truck-load of food.
Ryan will be taking on the challenge over two months, starting on July 2.
He wants to raise £20,000, which he will spend at a wholesalers or bulk distributors on items to fill a truck will supplies and hand over to those in need ready for the festive season.
Speaking to The Observer he said: “With the cost of living at an all-time high, donations to food banks have dropped significantly whilst the number of people in need of support is rising.
“The idea of organising a walk to raise truck of food came out of discussing with the many people who donate their cans.
“I realised that, in order to have a bigger impact and supply more food, I need to be able to buy food cheaper.
“This would mean no longer buying at supermarket price but at wholesale or bulk distributor price.
“The price ratio is about one to ten so it really makes sense to try and go down that route.
“This is how the idea of raising enough money to buy a full truck of food came along.
“This idea would be to make it available for Christmas and help everyone have a great festive period.”
Ryan will also hike to the top of Snowdon with Melanie Colivet – Sheldon’s community champion on July 16 – a feat he says is a ‘little intimidating’ but he has started walking in preparation for.
Following an article in The Observer earlier this year Ryan has seen his business boom.
He now has several collection points across the borough where people can drop their empty drink cans off and several pubs, social clubs and schools have also joined the We Can movement and supply cans regularly.
He said he is collecting an ever-increasing number of cans which helps him buy more and more food for Solihull Foodbank Network.
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To donate or for more about the walk click here.
