A big-hearted pastry chef is seeking Clapton locals who could benefit from having a fresh loaf of bread delivered free to their door every week.
Jenny Swan – who calls herself “The Bread Runner” – began advertising her bread delivery service in October but five months later is still struggling to find worthy recipients.
The 29-year-old from Lower Clapton said: “It’s been difficult reaching my target audience of elderly and housebound people. I’ve set up a Facebook page and put up posters around my local area but I suppose if you have difficulty getting out and about then you’re not likely to see them. It’s a bit of a Catch-22.”
The idea behind the scheme is that once a week Jenny, a keen jogger, will personally run freshly-baked loaves of bread to anyone who wants them within a five-mile radius of her house – and this area might expand if she can recruit volunteers to help out.
Jenny, who works in the kitchen of a local restaurant, said: “I used to have a nine-to-six job where I never had any days off but since becoming a pastry chef I’ve got a lot of free time on my hands during the day. I really wanted to do something productive with my time and was out running one day when this idea popped into my head.
“I always bake a loaf of bread every week for myself anyway so it would just mean baking a few more, popping them in my backpack and going for a run. It’s just such a simple idea that if it got off the ground I think it could be really successful.”
She added: “The problem is that you don’t really want to suggest to people that they can’t afford to buy a loaf of bread and a lot of people could also be very wary of a strange girl suddenly appearing on their doorstep.”
But Jenny – who moved to London from Dublin last year – says the idea is about more than just giving away bread.
“I chose bread because it’s something that everyone needs and it freezes well so it’s practical. I use my Mum’s recipe which uses wholemeal flour so it’s nutritious and healthy.
“But it would also mean that elderly and house-bound people would know that someone will call on them each week. I’d love to mix it up a bit and bring extra treats at certain times of the year, for example hot cross buns at Easter or jam in the summer. Something that would make it a little bit exciting.”
Do you have a relative, friend or neighbour who you think could benefit from Jenny’s scheme?
For more information please contact Jenny at thebreadrunner@gmail.com or 07502180293.
