Help the Hungry: DJ and producer Joel Corry spends ‘humbling’ day on our campaign

‘Head & Heart’ hitmaker tells Francesco Loy Bell ‘you’ve got to do whatever you can to help’ after volunteering alongside our appeal partner

British DJ, producer and television personality, Joel Corry pictured helping distribute cooked meals at Ringcross Community Centre Foodbank (Daniel Hambury/Stella Pictures Ltd)

British DJ and producer Joel Corry joined The Independent’s campaign to feed those in need during the coronavirus crisis, hailing the day as “humbling” as he also offered a prize for our Christmas auction.

His gift of a VIP concert experience for two joins a slate of incredible prizes up for auction, with other lots including a three-night stay at luxury Swiss hotel Chateau Gütsch, and dinner for two at one of London’s finest Italian restaurants – Mayfair’s Sartoria.

“It’s the first time that I’ve done something like this, and it’s really eye opening to see how important this place is to the community,” he said of his visit.

“We all live in our own bubbles and we don’t realise … that people in your city are struggling, and you’ve got to do whatever you can to help. These sort of things are like a lifeline for the community. What a great and amazing place this is.”

Corry, whose song ‘Head & Heart (ft MNEK)’ has the accolade for the longest consecutive time spent at number one this year, joined our charity partner With Compassion and the Alexandra Wylie Tower Foundation at Islington’s Ringcross Community Centre Foodbank, where he served healthy meals and spoke with vulnerable people queuing for supplies.

Corry served a selection of dishes prepared by chefs from With Compassion at the campaign’s kitchen at London Scottish House in Westminster. These included pasta with beef meatballs and tomato sauce and BBQ chicken with roast potatoes and gravy, as well as a vegetarian pasta option.

“Especially at Christmas, when people come together and have meals, sharing food and these moments is a massive thing and a big part of life. Obviously physically we need food – it is essential to live and to be healthy – but to have those moments and enjoy food together is so important.”

Our Christmas auction also includes a dinner for six people at west London establishment Laylow, a meal cooked in the winner’s own home by esteemed chef Chris Restrepo, and a portable ‘Roccbox’ pizza oven by luxury catering supplier Gozney.

For more information, and to place a bid, visit our auction website: https://www.foodforlondon-auction.co.uk

This November and December we will be delivering food directly to 1,000 people a day through our partner With Compassion. Please donate here to help us do all we can to ensure no one goes hungry this Christmas.