The Arsenal Foundation helped fund a street party on Hungerford Road near the Emirates Stadium this summer to raise money for the Islington Foodbank. Annette Witheridge, one of the organisers, tells us this.

“Our local community is so important, I have been involved in helping to organize our street parties but doing this has made me know more about our community and I am starting to get involved in other things too.

“Three friends who live on Hungerford Road and Hillmarton Road started the first party. This was our third; there was previously one for the Queen’s Jubilee and the King’s coronation. But we had our first party in 2014 to celebrate the 150th anniversary of Hungerford Road.

“Rosemary Silver, Debbie Sell and I first talked about a party for the Jubilee. We handed out flyers asking for volunteers, and soon we had a committee of neighbors who were happy to help. We meet regularly for several months before our parties and we all have different responsibilities.

“The day we hosted families and friends, we advertised widely in the area so residents could come from the surrounding streets. There were about 150 people in total.

“Thanks to a generous donation from the Arsenal Foundation we were able to provide insurance, auction items, face painters and a DJ for the party, as well as gas for our barbecues and a special commemorative cake. This meant that all the money we raised went to Islington Foodbank.

“In total we raised £1,461.54, exceeding last year’s fundraising figure by £450. We held an auction, raffle, children’s tombola, barbecue, plant, book and clothes stand and Hungerford Road classic car enthusiast Gary Lazarus gave away two of his cars for children to take photographs with in return for a donation from Islington Foodbank. We also held a fancy dress parade and flower making class for children. Teachers and children from Bridge School all attended and brought the pictures we displayed. Another local resident has a string quartet that plays for guests.

“As in previous years, we collected items from local businesses for the raffle. This year, thanks to the Arsenal Foundation, we were able to use some of the larger items in a fundraising auction. We purchased Hungerford Road artist Andrew Pegram’s prints of the former Arsenal Stadium, Caledonian Park Clock Tower and St Pancras Station for less than cost. Bidding for the Arsenal Stadium edition alone was well above our guide price with a very rapid bidding bid of £95.

“We truly believe that football clubs will help and work with local communities. Many fans park at Hungerford Road on matchdays and many of the residents are die-hard fans so they were delighted to have the club help us out. We hope this support will continue in the future!”

Click to find out more about Islington Foodbank and how you can donate Here