Star Wars & lightning fast internet in Blandford

Photo: Kristian Jenkins. Wessex Internet Team L to R: Joe Hartford, Charlie Gray, Josh Goodchild, Christine O'Grady, Jo Potts, Randelle Norman and Zac Barrett.

This month our team has been out and about connecting properties to full fibre broadband in and around Blandford town centre - near our offices in Dorset.

Meanwhile, one of our vehicles was spotted making a special delivery to the Blandford Food Bank.

Volunteers Gail de Pinto and Heidi Roberts were astounded when the Wessex Internet van arrived at the United Reformed Church …. and opened its doors to reveal boxes of toys, books and games.

During November, Wessex Internet employees donated their pre-loved items for the Blandford Rotary Christmas Toy Appeal – all contributions will go to local families in time for Christmas alongside food hampers. Star Wars posters, Paw Patrol books, a Bath Bomb kit, Children’s tents, a Fairy Castle and a Thunderbirds Tracy Island were among the collection.

Gail Del-Pinto, Foodbank Manager said: “Most of the parents being taken into the church to choose toys were wide eyed and a little perplexed. They had never been in a situation where they were able to choose some toys for their children and had to be encouraged to choose.

They all left carrying their bags of toys with the most beautiful smiles on their faces! Christmas is definitely going to be a really happy time for a lot of families this year.”

Ludo Skinner, Wessex Internet said: “As a local business, when we were first approached by Stephen Adamson at Blandford Rotary we were more than happy to help. I don’t think any of us predicted that that we’d collect so many items! Thank you to all our employees who donated to such a worthy cause.”

The food bank opened 9 years ago as an initiative of Blandford Churches. Since opening the number of people using the food bank has grown year on year. In 2019, 990 adults and children were helped within the DT11 area; 4,300 were helped in 2020 and 1,829 in 2021 so far.