A group of elite British cyclists, including Paris 2024 Olympic silver medallist Jess Roberts, traded their bikes for aprons as they joined volunteers at the Tameside Meals SEVA Group project based in Hyde Town Hall.
The team helped prepare and pack 200 meals, cooking an impressive 12kg of pasta to support some of the borough’s most vulnerable communities.
The initiative has been quietly but powerfully operating since August 2021. Organiser Kala Madviwala explained the roots of the project during a busy afternoon in the kitchen.
“We actually started towards the end of COVID, thanks to some funding aimed at supporting people with long COVID,” Kala said. “It was only supposed to last six months, but with a fantastic group of volunteers and careful budgeting, we stretched it to 18 months.”
Since then, the project has evolved to support homeless people, struggling families, and local charities that serve those in need.
The cyclists' visit was split into two sessions. Morning duties were taken up by Paralympic gold medallist Kadeena Cox along with two other colleagues, while the afternoon shift saw the arrival of Jess Roberts, fellow cyclist Maddie Leech, and Suzanne Hibbs.
“We’re so grateful for their help,” said Kala. “They just got stuck in chopping, stirring, packing, it really meant a lot to everyone here.”
The kitchen operated with its usual Tuesday rhythm: ingredients sourced from Fairshare the day before, a rough recipe decided on the spot, and a team of around ten volunteers preparing meals from scratch. This week’s menu included a vegan bolognese and a traditional beef version, with roughly 50 and 150 portions made respectively.
Once prepared, meals were packed into disposable containers and distributed to several local charities, including The Station Pub in Ashton-under-Lyne, Power of Resilience in Stalybridge, and a local church that works with elderly residents.
“It’s not just about the meals,” Kala reflected. “For the volunteers too, it’s become a lifeline, mentally and physically. Some of our helpers are asylum seekers and refugees, and they’ve found real joy and purpose here.”
The group now operates as a constituted community organisation, applying for small grants to keep the project going. Recent funding from the Tameside Rotary Club has enabled the group to continue their vital work.
“We’ve been going for nearly four years now,” Kala added. “I think it’s a real team achievement. As long as the funding keeps coming in, and sadly, the need is still very much there, we’ll keep going.”
The cyclists, fresh from their world-class performances, brought more than just publicity. They brought energy, teamwork, and an infectious positivity that uplifted everyone in the kitchen.
“They were a real credit to British Cycling,” said Kala. “And they left knowing they helped make a difference.”
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