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I founded Burnt Oak Community Food Bank in March 2021 as an eight-week pilot and a personal commitment to give back and serve the community. Supporting others has been part of my life since the age of 15, shaped by my upbringing and core values.

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Feeding the homeless is something I've always been passionate about & continue to do in London.

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Working and travelling overseas reinforced my belief in the power of community and the importance of giving back. Returning to the UK has brought that journey full circle and today I carry those values into everything we do at Burnt Oak Community Food Bank and beyond.

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In my free time, I enjoy travelling, horse riding and trying different cuisines.

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​​​Our work is guided by the five core human values I follow: love, peace, right conduct, truth and non-violence, ensuring every interaction is delivered with dignity, respect and compassion.

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I believe communities thrive when people come together to support one another. I’m incredibly grateful for the opportunity to help people when they need it most.  It is both humbling and inspiring to witness the transformative power of compassion, community and collective action. Being part of that journey every day is a true privilege.

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I've been involved with BOCFB from day one when Deepa asked me to join.
I ran my own company for 40 years and in 2018 took the huge step of selling the business.

 

Since 2009 I have been involved in Holborn Food Run which is volunteer led and in some capacity I have been trying to make a difference.

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Giving back to those in need has always been important to me. The food bank has shown me the scale of the demand and the commitment required, making every day both challenging and deeply rewarding.

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Away from the volunteering, my hobbies include music, I collect vinyl records which I've been doing since my teens. I'm also passionate about football and travelling all over to watch my team play whenever I can.  Most importantly, I'm also caring for my mum. 

I feel blessed to be in a position where I am able to help those in need.

I first joined BOCFB as a volunteer in 2021 when the peak of Covid19 started. I have always been passionate about serving and giving back to those that need help.  

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When I was 15 I used to help and serve at the local temple in Hendon which used to feed my soul that I was able to do selfless work and since then its been embeded in me to give back and serve. 

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I got more involved in voluntary work in 2019 where I used to help prepare and pack food for Holborn Food Run and distribute food provisions at Charing Cross food run every Friday evening. 

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At the height of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2021, Deepa invited me to support Burnt Oak Community Food Bank as it launched as a pilot project, giving me the opportunity to continue serving the community when it was needed most.

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As Burnt Oak Community Food Bank grew, it became clear that there was a significant and ongoing need within the community. SAFA CIC was established to build on this work, enabling us to expand our support and create a lasting positive impact.

 

Alongside my role at the food bank, my twin sister and I have been running our cake business since 2007. It was through this business that I first met Deepa, who would often order cakes for Mother Teresa’s and the many charitable initiatives she was involved in. That connection eventually led me to become part of the Burnt Oak Community Food Bank family.

 

What drew me to BOCFB was that it is very much a community where everyone looks forward to coming together to the food bank either to serve as a volunteer or be served.

 

What touches my soul the most is when clients come in despite what problems they are going through they will walk in with a smile knowing they will have food on the table for themselves and their family and that we've been able to help so many people in a space of 2 hours.  

 

In my spare time which is minimal I love playing badminton, watching cricket and listening to music.