By Mal Butler
The annual pancake competition, to raise money for Ryde foodbanks, was another flipping success at Pickle and Dill on Tuesday.
Ryde Appley & Elmfield councillor, Michael Lilley, started the competition 11 years ago and was again in fine form at the event, which he has never won!
Michael said: “I’ve held it every year for 11 years, even through Covid when we took part on Zoom. It raises the issue of food poverty locally and supports the Ryde foodbank and Oakfield Community Pantry.
“Over the years, we have raised around £13,000 and aim to make another £700 this year, although the fund-raising gets harder as people tend not to bring out cash with them anymore. There’s also a cost-of-living crisis. I always said I would stop when food poverty went down, but it just continues to go up.
“The biggest group affected is working families. They are the ones who might be on zero hours and not claiming benefits, and if their hours are reduced, they turn to foodbanks. There are hundreds, if not thousands, affected.”
Michael was joined by prolific fund-raiser Peter May, who wears high-heeled boots to raise money for the awareness for women who are the victims and survivors of domestic abuse.
Michael added: “We have supported each other in our various fund-raising efforts over the last four years, and it was great to see him here. We also always do a competition with the children at Oakfield Primary School as well, but they are on holiday this week because of the half-term. However, we don’t want them to lose out, so we will be having another event next Tuesday (February 25), between noon and 2pm.”
Winner of the contest was Pickle and Dill chef, Bob Wright, who regained his title with 59 flips in a minute, after losing out to his sister, Danielle, who won it last year. Michael managed 39 while there was also a junior champion, Ola Hayward.
Isle of Wight Observer