Pedal Power Pays Off
We’re proud to be a beneficiary of this year’s Chestnut Cycle Safari, which raised an amazing £27,500 in support of food hubs across our region!
The Chestnut team’s determination to pedal over 500km across four counties, visiting ten regional food hubs along the way, is nothing short of inspirational. Their donation, shared across the region, will help Nourishing Norfolk Network members ensure can continue to act as thriving community hubs. Dereham Food Cabin, Watton Food Hub, Fakenham Food Fellowship, Holt Food Hub and Coastal Community Supermarket will share a total of £14,000 to continue providing food and support to their communities.
For the 40,000 people who have accessed our services over the past 5 years, support like this is life-changing. It helps us keep food hubs open and stocked, providing crucial funds for store cupboard staples that help people make proper meals, and makes sure our hubs can continue operating as welcoming community spaces where dignity and choice go hand in hand with care and community.
Demand continues to grow, with 500 Norfolk people signing up for support each month. This kind of practical support could not come at a more critical time. More and more, working families, older residents, and individuals on low or unstable incomes are turning to our network not just for food, but for reassurance, kindness, and support.
We’d also like to celebrate the creative ways Chestnut has supported the cause – from turning their pubs and Big Houses into donation points for non-perishable food, to encouraging pledges for every mile cycled, such as Edmondson Hall Solicitors who donated 50p for each mile cycled. It’s a great example of how businesses can use all of their assets and people to make a real difference.
Philip Turner, Founder of Chestnut said:
“Our business is all about hospitality, with food and local communities at the heart of what we do, so we are pleased to be able to help through our Giving Tree Foundation. Our cycle team has trained hard and completed this tough challenge with the brilliant support of colleagues across the business. It is an incredible achievement and one which shows just how committed our staff are to going above and beyond for vital local causes.”
To everyone at Chestnut – especially the team of cyclists who took on this epic journey – and to all the sponsors and supporters who backed the Safari: thank you. Your generosity is not just funding food. It’s fuelling hope, community, and resilience across Norfolk and beyond.
[Published 16.07.2025]
