A very COOL community project

This was our first community mission to help the Driven Forward Community Fridge in Windsor. Driven Forward launched in 2018 to help vulnerable adults get out and about and participate in social events and activities in the community. During the pandemic they have expanded their operation, setting up the Community Fridge in a trailer in Alexandra Gardens Car Park. This fantastic project diverts fresh food from landfill to be used by the community. It is open 11am-1pm on weekdays.

Laura arrived first and took some fantastic 'before' photos, and then set to work clearing bags and bags of weeds from the area around the trailer.

Robert arrived by bike shortly after and did an amazing job cleaning the outside of the trailer. He was up and down the ladder pressure washing and scrubbing until it glowed.

Amy had planned to drive from Maidenhead, but her car had other plans and refused to start. She hopped on her bike instead and had a wonderful ride through Bray, down Dorney Lake and along the Thames to Windsor, proving that using the power of your legs really is the best way to travel to a community mission. Unfortunately it did mean she was about 45 minutes late, and the bulk of the work had already been done by the time she arrived. She did a bit more weeding, sweeping and packing up, and then it was time to go. She and Robert cycled back to Maidenhead together, discovering some lovely new paths along the way.

It was great to meet Tiia, the absolute dynamo who runs the charity and seems to fit more into 24 hours than most of us do in a week. She arrived at the task fresh from her night-shift at work, sorted out a huge amount while we were on site, and as she waved us off she was heading home to make 17 packed lunches for the homeless - incredible!

We look forward to returning again soon to help this brilliant project.