Heroes send food to hundreds of truckers still stranded in Dover at Christmas

Armies of hero volunteers have delivered hundreds of meal parcels to lorry drivers stranded at Dover before Christmas.

Curries, pizzas and sandwiches were served to hungry truckers stuck in Kent due to the ban on travel into France

More than 2,800 HGVs were stranded on Tuesday due to the French travel ban over fears of the mutant Covid strain.

Kent County Council leader Roger Gough told BBC 2 a total 2,200 vehicles are now at Manston while 632 are still being held on the M20.

Brexit contingency plan "Operation Fennel" was activated early to cope with lorries waiting to depart the UK.

Khalsa Aid volunteers travelled more than 80 miles to provide 800 hot meals to the truckers from Maidenhead, Berkshire.

A further 1,000 meals are set to be delivered by the Sikh charity today.

On Tuesday, some members travelled almost double the distance from Coventry carrying essential supplies such as food and water.

Meanwhile members of Ramsgate football club rallied together to deliver 200 pizzas to the drivers stranded on the motorway.

Khalsa Aid founder Ravinder Singh said: "We are working with the Kent Sikh community and Kent Police to provide 800 hot meals for the truck drivers who are stranded due to Borders being closed.

"It was great to work with the men and women from Kent Police, HM Coastguard and the Highways England to assist the truck drivers who are caught up in Operation Stack.

"What an amazing bunch of people carrying out fantastic work under difficult circumstances. #BordersClosed.

"We will be providing another 1,000 hot meals for truck drivers who are stranded due to Operation Stack in Kent."

British nationals living in France, French citizens and hauliers are now able to travel if they have a recent negative coronavirus test.

But the chaos will take some time to clear and many truckers are still relying on the help of kindhearted volunteers.

Fellow Sikhs from Guru Nanak Gurdwara helped cook up a storm for the stranded truckers before volunteer delivery drivers were given a police escort along the M20.

The Salvation Army has also donated 1,000 sandwiches for the lorry drivers.

The Salvation Army’s Territorial Emergency Response Officer Adrian Clee said: "Salvation Army volunteers have been pleased to roll up their sleeves to support drivers caught up in the delays.

“Our emergency response teams are well known for supporting people in times of hardship and are often called on by the emergency services to provide food, drink and support at large incidents."

Volunteers worked until midnight to prepare the sandwiches which were stored by a nearby pub.

A further 1,000 food bags are in the pipeline from Ashford International Truckstop.

Toilets have been provided for those stuck on the M20, according to Kent County Council who praised the efforts of volunteers.

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