Chairman cheers on Joe

Published: Tuesday, 22nd July 2025

Local resident Joe Osborne is visiting food banks in all 92 UK counties on foot to raise awareness of food poverty.

Joe, who owns his own whole food business, is passionate about highlighting the issue of food poverty and is planning to run to at least one food bank in each county, making a donation at every stop.

The seventeen-year-old’s first stop was the Community Cupboard food bank in West Kingsdown, the area where he grew up. There he was greeted by Sevenoaks District Council Chairman, Cllr Lynda Harrison.

Joe, who recently finished his A-levels and is taking a gap year, hopes to complete this trip within the year. His last stop is the Shetland Isles.

Joe is planning to stay with friends and family and people involved in running food banks and will take periodic trips home.

Joe says: “I’ve never run in my life, but I am so passionate about raising the profile of food poverty. I felt I had to do this. More than seven million people experience food poverty in the UK and many of them rely on their local food bank to get by.

“During my time on the road, I will be contacting local MPs to explain why I’m visiting the food banks up and down the country, and why so many families need a helping hand. I’m keen to hear from our Parliamentarians what can be done to tackle this national problem.”

Sevenoaks District Council Chairman, Cllr Lynda Harrison, adds: “Joe’s journey around the UK in foot is truly inspiring. He is giving up the best part of a year to raise the profile of an issue that he really cares about. We all wish Joe the very best.”