Meet the extraordinary Harrogate man cooking hundreds of meals from his kitchen to help during the coronavirus outbreak

Paul Welch’s two daughters are both hospital medics, the youngest with A&E, the eldest working in intensive care, and it was his immense pride for their frontline work that was a key inspiration behind his impressive contribution, as well as the remarkable Covid Co-Operation group in Harrogate - a network of thousands of volunteers who are stepping up to help those who are self-isolating.

Paul is producing between 30 and 40 meals a day, and so far he has chopped up 40kg of onions, carrots, parsnips, turnips and celeriac, fried 20kg of mince, chicken and beef, and ladled 15kg of chopped tomatoes using 5kg of tomato concentrate, and grated 1kg of fresh ginger.

A businessman who retired 18 months ago from running an interior design firm, Paul has turned his hand to making everything from chillis, stews and shepherd’s pies, to curries and soups.

Paul said: “There must be a lot of people who are hungry or are finding it hard to access food at this time. It’s critical that if people are in a position where they can give back, they should give back.

“People mustn’t give up - always find something positive to do, inspire others where you can, and never let things beat you - this is not just a thing about giving back to the community, it’s also to try and inspire other people who might have flung the towel in at life.

“There are a whole raft of situations where people can become disabled - I lost the use of my legs 20 years ago and it hasn’t stopped me doing lots and lots.

“My outlook on life is that I am an intrinsically half full person, I see the good in everybody before I see the bad, and I get up every morning and fight whatever it is that is in front of me - I knock it on the head and get on with things.

“There must be a lot of people who are sat at home right now thinking this is the end of the world, and if they are thinking that and they are hungry, I can help.”

Paul is in awe of our amazing NHS and is putting up a huge banner on the side of his house to say thank you, but he is keen to stress that their tireless efforts have always been all year round, every single day, not just during the coronavirus outbreak - and that showing just a little bit of kindness can go a long way.

He said: “Every gesture, every act of kindness everyone is showing is making our country a better place, even though many of the people working tirelessly to support others are never seen. I think good food and good nutrition every day, is the most important part of life. I don’t ask people for a penny for this.”

Anyone who would like one of Paul’s meals can make contact via the Covid-Co-operation Facebook group or through Supporting Older People on 07535 508043 or 01423 531490.

How you can give back during lockdown

The Covid Co-Operation, Harrogate Facebook group now has more than 10,000 members - consisting of thousands of volunteers offering support to those who are self-isolating, but also creating a forum for those who need help to reach out.

Launched by resident Susie Little just four weeks ago, the group continues to snowball, and has now launched a crowdfunding campaign to raise money for six local charities who are all lifelines to our most vulnerable during the outbreak, including Supporting Older People and Harrogate Foodbank. Visit: www.crowdfunder.co.uk/covid-co-operation-Harrogate to donate.