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Who we are

Helping Hearts Ltd (Famagusta) - Supporting local families in need

Helping Hearts is a voluntary group run by Brian and Zanka Randall, first established in March 2020 as the COVID19 pandemic reached Cyprus and the country went into lock-down. Suddenly many businesses were closed, and the tourist industry, on which the Famagusta area relies so heavily on, was unable to restart for the season after a long winter - this meant that so many families were in sudden and desperate need.   

 

The Cyprus government put into place a support scheme but this was not available to everyone for various reasons, and could only cover the bare minimum of a families outgoings at best.   Many were struggling to buy enough food to feed themselves and their children. 

 

After receiving help themselves and realising they had been given more than they needed, Zanka and Brian, along with helpers Helen Ingham and Natalie Tooth formed Helping Hearts and went on to provide a lifeline for those in need. 

The team began to collect donations and began to prepare and deliver hearty, healthy and filling meals.  7 days a week they were in the kitchens preparing food from early morning for delivery every evening around 6 pm, at their busiest they were making over 100 meals daily.   

Delivering the meals adhering to all social distancing measures, and during the strictest period of the Cyprus lock-down making sure they always had permission to be out on the road, and ensuring they were always home by the curfew. 

 

As the lock-down lifted and businesses started to reopen, Helen and Natalie have been lucky to have the chance to return to work. Brian and Zanka continue to dedicate their time to Helping Hearts and have many hopes and plans for the future to continue supporting those who need it.  They have switched from daily meal deliveries to the distribution of care packs,  to try and give people back a sense of normality. 

What Helping Hearts give to the community is more than just food, often they have provided a ‘shoulder to cry on’ and given people the sense that they are not alone in this crisis. While their healthy meals and food packs support the immune systems and health of their recipients, their mental health is just as important and this is something they realize and make every effort to help with.

 

We Have expanded to Larnaka District as there are over 100 families that are in need of our assistance. we are growing rapidly as many of the companies that opened for a 2 month season have now shut back down so the families that had a bit of work 

 

From one of our grateful recipients:

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"I thought long and hard about how to put this in words but best is to just say it.

The last time when someone fed me, just to make sure I'm not hungry, not because there was a dinner party or something like that, was when my late grandmother did so. Nevertheless, 3 strangers, who didn't even know me, are doing it for 2 weeks now, without asking questions, without judging.

It brings tears to my eyes. THANK YOU!"

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Helping Hearts Famagusta is now fully registered as a non-profit limited company.   They are also now in the process of expanding island wide and are looking for helpers, volunteers and donations all over the island. 

You can help by donating via paypal using 

Paypal     helping hearts

GoFund https://gogetfunding.com/helping-hearts-famagusta/  

Donations are also very gratefully accepted and can be dropped off at 

Fatcatz Mobilty, Deryneia, 

The Road Cyprus, Kapparis

The Greenery, Protaras

Butterflies Tea Room and English Deli, Oroklini

 

All donations gratefully received but they are in desperate need of the following:

Long life milk,

Dried  / canned foods, 

Toiletries and sanitary items

Nappies


Clothes donations are also welcomed.

 

You can contact Helping Hearts via email HERE or

facebook https://www.facebook.com/helpingheartscyprus/  

or call 96170143

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