Derby County Community Trust’s Community Meals sessions run weekly at Harrison’s Hub, Pride Park Stadium throughout the winter months, aiming to support those in need. Attendees are given a free of charge hot meal and drink in a warm welcoming environment. Since its launch, the Community Trust has served over 3,000 meals to members of the local community. 

This week’s meal was extra special as guests were surprised by a visit from Derby County first team players Lars-Jørgen Salvesen and Bobby Clark, who helped to serve meals, meet attendees, and show their support for the Trust’s ongoing work to tackle food insecurity and loneliness.  

The weekly meals are supported by funding from Derby City Council’s Warm and Welcoming Spaces fund in addition to individual sponsored meals, in which local businesses fund and volunteer at. This week’s event was proudly sponsored by Lubrizol, whose support helped ensure the evening was a success.

Alongside the meals, the evening also welcomed contributions to the Reverse Advent Calendar campaign, run in partnership with the Derby Food 4 Thought Alliance. Businesses, community organisations and supporters generously dropped off donations of essential food items helping to stock supplies for families in need during the winter months. Full food parcels that were brought to the donation points at Pride Park Stadium qualified for two complimentary ticket vouchers to the Millwall fixture on 10th December, gifted by Derby County Football Club.

Derby County Community Trust CEO, Paul Newman said: “We were delighted to have Bobby [Clark] and Lars [Jørgen Salvesen] at Community Meals and Reverse Advent drop off point this week. Our Community Meals initiative has had a significant impact on our local communities over the years and it’s great to be able to continue into winter 25/26. A big thank you goes to the local businesses and Derby City Council who support us to deliver this important work.”