Schoolboy who launched shed food bank has now opened a Christmas ‘present bank’

13 December 2023 , 17:19

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Isaac Winfield opened food banks during the pandemic and has now set up a Christmas present bank to help those struggling (Image: Solent News & Photo Agency)

A schoolboy who used his birthday money to launch a food bank from his garden shed has now opened a ‘present bank’ for Christmas.

Kind-hearted Isaac Winfield has enlisted the help of a local pub to store all the gifts he has been donated by locals in Redditch, Worcester More than 200 youngsters turned up on the opening day of the ‘present bank’ to receive free toy parcels from the 12-year-old. Isaac melted the nation’s hearts when he opened his first food bank outside his house during the pandemic in December 2020.

He went on to set up another four in the town after realising how many people in his community needed a helping hand. Isaac was left heartbroken two months ago when a thief in a sinister panda mask robbed the food bank outside his family home.

Isaac previosuly ran a food bank out of a shed at Greenlands, Redditch (Anita Maric / SWNS)

But he vowed to carry on donating and has now opened his first ‘present bank’ for the festive period. Proud mum Claire, 43, said: “Christmas can be a stressful time. “Isaac wanted to help as many people as possible have a celebration without worrying about what is under the tree.

“He is absolutely ecstatic seeing his shelves full with toys and gifts for families. He has dedicated his weekends and spare time to helping. It is the best Christmas present he could have asked for. Isaac wrote to Santa this year asking if he could bring poor children presents instead - all he wants to do is help people.

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“In the first day we had 200 children arriving for toy parcels. We're busier than ever. The response has been phenomenal. It has all been quite overwhelming to see.

"We’ve had baby toys, books, dolls, teddies, Nerf guns, blankets, toiletries, there's just a bit of everything here.” After being targeted by thieves in October, well-wishers joined forces to restock the food bank.

Claire said: “We were blown away by the donations we've had since the theft. Isaac has gone from being heartbroken to elated. The response has been truly overwhelming and so many people have shown amazing generosity. When the theft happened, Isaac was devastated but this has restored his faith in humanity and really shows the goodness in people.”

Martin Fricker