‘My visit to FareShare Sussex & Surrey was sobering but full of hope’

“The amount of people experiencing hunger is frightening, and more needs to be done,” Jenni Falconer says, after an eye-opening trip to the FareShare Sussex & Surrey regional warehouse in Guildford.

The TV and radio presenter, 48, visited the non-profit organisation for a day of volunteering, helping the team organise food bundles to feed vulnerable groups within the local community.

“My day at FareShare really made me appreciate the volunteers and how much they do. What I find incredible is how much food fills out the warehouse and how quickly it is boxed up and sent out. You would think the food would be enough for everyone, but they always need more donations and volunteers to help. There are people struggling with hunger, including children, and it’s a very sobering thing. But the volunteers are joyful and have such a community spirit.”

With Christmas fast approaching, Jenni says donations could increase as people want to spread some festive cheer. However, for families struggling, food insecurity is not a seasonal problem.

"People can feel very generous over the holidays, and that's wonderful. We should embrace our generous spirit. But families unable to feed themselves need help all year round."

Jenni has recently become the ambassador for FUEL10K's 'Fuel a Breakfast' campaign. For every pot or box of FUEL10K purchased in October, FUEL10K will donate a portion of porridge to FareShare.

The partnership was a no-brainer for Jenni, as it combined a love of philanthropy and a fuelling bowl of porridge.

"It's such a great campaign and it's so easy to help. I've been eating FUEL10K's porridge for years, and this way, you can enjoy a tasty breakfast and help someone else eat one too."

Healthy eating is key for Jenni, who embraces an active lifestyle and has to be awake every morning at 4am for her Smooth Radio breakfast show.

While she admits the dark mornings of winter can be challenging, she believes getting out in nature is the perfect remedy for the grey skies.

"My alarm goes off so early but I try to get out of bed and have a shower. When I'm on the radio, I fuel up with a bowl of porridge and then I try to get out for a run. Often I run home, as it kills two birds with one stone. I love to be active and it lifts my mood - especially in the winter. It can be hard to find the time but my tip is preparation is key. Make sure you carve out space in your diary at the start of the week."

Jenni was bitten by the marathon running bug in 2009 and has completed nine in the years since, only taking a break for pregnancy and injury. So, will she go for a tenth marathon?

"It's so built into my schedule now to do a marathon, I don't know how I'd cope if I didn't!" she laughs. "I never really let my running or exercise slip, even in winter. I'd go for a Christmas day run if the family would let me!"

FUEL10K’s ‘Fuel a Breakfast’ campaign will run from 1st to 31st October 2024.

FareShare is the UK’s largest charity tackling the environmental problem of food waste for social good. All porridge donations will be distributed across its network of over 8,000 charities and community groups.

To find out more information on the campaign and the range of flavours available, head over to FUEL10K’s Instagram, @fuel10k.