A KIND-HEARTED Stourbridge widow is celebrating the fifth anniversary of a charity set up in memory of her husband to help people in need - which has been busier than ever during the pandemic.

Vi Wood set up Leslie’s Care Packages after the death of her beloved husband Leslie in August 2016.

It began as a way of keeping her husband's memory alive but also helped to give Vi the strength to carry on through the tough times without him while helping vulnerable people in Stourbridge and the Black Country.

After appealing for donations via social media Vi's front room became storage for food and clothing parcels which she would personally deliver to people in need.

Initially set up to help the homeless, the non-profit voluntary organisation now helps vulnerable individuals and groups from disadvantaged families to women escaping domestic violence to baby banks, people in hospital and the elderly.

The organisation has a growing army of volunteers but receives no funding and relies on the public and businesses for support.

Although the Covid-19 crisis has seen a dramatic increase in donations, it has also resulted in a rise in requests for help.

Vi, a German citizen who started LCP after facing homelessness herself, said: "The pandemic has drawn attention to the fact that these issues and needs have always been there and will continue to be so in the future."

As always, Vi stepped in to try to offer help and solutions for those in need during the lockdowns.

She responded by collecting and distributing food parcels for families experiencing a difficult time financially, shopping for people self-isolating, and donating treats to NHS staff and key workers.

LCP received more referrals than ever this year from local authorities and charities that had heard of Vi’s reputation for responding quickly and with indiscriminate compassion.

Since the pandemic hit in March 2020 the charity has distributed more than 234 chocolate bunnies to NHS staff in Wolverhampton, raised £150 to help replace stolen bikes for the children involved with the Benson community project, distributed 30 care packages to homeless people, and even provided new toys for the fifth birthday of a child with Downs Syndrome.

Despite being blighted by her own ill health at times - Vi has worked tirelessly for the charity in her spare time, often assisted by her teenaged grandson, and she has gone out of her way to respond to help requests as quickly as possible.

She said: “When I started Leslie’s Care Packages in 2016 I never imagined how many people we would have helped over the last five years.

"It’s upsetting to see just how many people rely on the compassion of others just to get by. Although it can be tough at times, I’m motivated by knowing our work is making a difference to those in need.

"I know it’s what my husband would have wanted too. The local community has been amazing in answering my calls for help. I look forward to helping even more people in the next five years.”

Vi was honoured at the Dudley Mayor Civic Awards in 2017 and was a finalist in the Great Big Thank You awards of 2018 in recognition of her work and now, with growing support, she has moved the operation from her front room to a rented space in Norton...although she is on the hunt for bigger premises.

Stourbridge MP Suzanne Webb has been a keen supporter of the organisation, which celebrates its fifth anniversary on Tuesday August 24, and she's backing Vi's search for a bigger base.

The MP said: “Vi wants to set up a local community drop-in centre to help more people and if anyone knows of a building that might fit the bill then please get in touch with this wonderful organisation.

“Next week will be the fifth anniversary of Vi setting up the charity. It has done a lot of good work and I hope it can find new accommodation.

“Homelessness is a complex issue requiring intervention from many organisations and authorities. But without initiatives like Leslie’s Care Packages the job would be much harder and I thank Vi for all she is doing.”

Anyone wishing to donate goods to LCP can email Vi to arrange collection.

The charity also welcomes financial donations, however small, to help replenish funds.

To find out more visit facebook.com/Leslies/Care/Packages email vi@lesliescarepacakages.org