Thousands of Stars delivered free to vulnerable people as bosses support 'a Sheffield institution'

Tribepad, City Taxis and Sheffield University have paid for 3,400 copies which are being delivered to food banks, care homes and sent across the city with food parcels.

Bosses have jumped at the chance to keep vulnerable people informed during the pandemic - and support their local newspaper which has seen sales hit by lockdown.

Digital firm Tribepad funded 800 copies which are distributed to the S20 food bank and four care or residential homes: Nightingale, Park View, Herries Lodge, Heeley Bank and Haythorne Place.

City Taxis paid for 2,000 copies which are sent out with deliveries from the Food Works, a social enterprise that collects food destined for landfill and sells it in affordable food boxes and as meals.

The University of Sheffield funded 1,600 copies which are sent with Age UK food parcels from St Mary’s Church and Community Centre on Bramall Lane. Last week it provided 363 food boxes to 700 people. But staff say demand is rising as Sheffield begins to recover from the Covid-19 pandemic.

Tracy Wray, director of corporate communications and external relations at the University of Sheffield, said newspapers play a vital role in informing and supporting local communities.

She added: “The Star's work to provide newspapers for vulnerable people in Sheffield is a fantastic initiative that provides a window to the outside world for people who have been shielding and isolating during this pandemic. We are very happy to support the Star in this work and to support local journalism in this way."

Dan Kirkland, of Tribepad, said The Star was ‘an important Sheffield institution’ which had supported and raised awareness of the company over the years - and helped create a sense of community across the city.

He added: “Food banks shouldn’t really have to exist. The fact they do makes me want to help. A small gesture can go a long way. People can get forgotten and excluded and might miss out on the news. Papers, probably more than anything else create a community and community is more important than ever.”

Tribepad has grown and recruited througout the pandemic.

Mr Kirkland added: “I would ask anyone in a fortunate situation to look at what they can to help individuals and organisations. We know newspapers are having a difficult time but they are part of the community and The Star is an important Sheffield institution. It’s a legacy we need to protect.”

Paul Gosney, of City Taxis, added: “The Star is a local institution with some great reporting, editorial content and local information. At these unprecedented times we feel it is great company and a comfort for people who may have been self-isolating from the outside world.

“We know we live in an online world but providing a newspaper to thousands of people was something we thought was very important. And we can’t wait for the fantastic sports coverage to return in June!”

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