THE EIGHTH annual pancake flipping contest, hosted by Ryde mayor, Cllr Michael Lilley, will take place at Pickle and Dill today (Tuesday, February 21).
Held since 2016, with over £10,000 raised, each challenger must flip as many pancakes as possible in one minute, with the event raising the issues of poverty and food insecurity in Ryde and across the Island.
The pancake idea was created by Cllr Lilley and Erica Manley, a Ryde Foodbank volunteer who sadly died recently, with today's event in her memory.
Cllr Lilley said: “Going hungry and not having the money to feed your family and children is the most desperate state to be in.
“Erica and all the volunteers of food projects such as Ryde Foodbank, Oakfield Community Pantry, Ryde Aspire and Oakvale Foodshare have always greeted people coming food with dignity, understanding, kindness, and welcome, and are totally non-judgemental.
“Erica believed that we all could at some time in our life be literally on the breadline and no one should be hungry in the 21st Century. She and I believed that you keep raising the issue of food poverty every year until there is no one going without.
“This year’s event is in Erica’s memory and to all the volunteers who give their time to help others not go hungry.”
The Ryde Pancake Day event will include children from Oakfield Primary School and volunteers from Oakfield Community Pantry, from midday – 2pm.
Following this, at 3pm, the ‘open to all challenges’ flipping event will get underway at Pickle and Dill, where chef Bob will be hoping to keep his title.
All donations will be split between the foodbanks and charities.
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