Mum’s legacy to late daughter continues to help thousands of children

Mum’s legacy to late daughter continues to help thousands of children

Saturday, 6th September 2006 was the day the Ollerenshaw’s lives changed forever.

It was only a few weeks off daughter Molly’s fourth birthday, when Rachel and Tim noticed the first signs of her illness.

While on a family day out Molly became increasingly uncomfortable and the situation quickly escalated when, the next day, she found herself in A&E. A scan later detected a tumour in her left kidney.

What followed was the worst possible news – it had been diagnosed as a rare kind of kidney cancer called a Wilms tumour and she was admitted to Birmingham Children’s Hospital to begin a six-month course of chemotherapy before undergoing an operation to remove the kidney.

Pride of Birmingham, Molly Olly's Wishes
Molly pictured on her fourth birthday.

She was given the all-clear and life began to return to normal for the Warwickshire school pupil, until the news came just 18 months later – the cancer had returned, this time on her bowel. More chemotherapy followed and the tumour was again removed, but Molly struggled to cope with her treatment the second time around.

It was during this time that Molly joined the CLIC Sargent Youth Advisory Group to help improve the lives of children with cancer and, in 2010, narrated an Ardmann Studios short animated film designed as a guide for coping with radiotherapy. It is being widely used today in the UK and overseas to help improve the patient experience.

Free from cancer for a few more months, May 2010 was to bring the news the family had dreaded – the cancer had returned again to Molly’s liver. And, despite a further operation, a stem cell transplant and a further aggressive round of chemotherapy, another fourth tumour appeared in March 2011.

It was to be just two and a half precious months until Molly lost her brave battle and slipped away at the family home in Hatton Park on 15th June 2011, with mum and dad by her side.

Rachel and Tim Ollerenshaw with the familiar Molly Olly’s pink van.

Tim and Rachel had spent a large part of those five years in and out of hospital and soon realised that many of the patients they met did not benefit from the emotional or financial support that they had received for Molly and her siblings.

Driven by this – and a determination to keep Molly’s legacy alive -Molly Olly’s Wishes was officially born in September 2011.

Rachel said: “It never ceases to amaze us how many people Molly inspired in her short life. She achieved more in that time than many of us do in our lifetimes. She had a great smile and a big heart to go with it.

“We miss her so very much and words cannot describe the pain we feel no longer being able to hug her, have her with us and enjoy her perspective on life.

“We take massive comfort from helping other children and their families in their dark days and that keeps Molly in all our hearts.”

The charity has come a long way in eight years, and this year marked its £2 million fundraising milestone, of which Rachel and Tim are justifiably proud.

Rachel said: “What is particularly poignant for me is that the donation that took us to the £2m was from a family that the charity had supported who wanted to give back. It is a privilege to help and I want to acknowledge all those individuals and companies who have enabled us.”

Reflecting on the charity’s early days, Rachel added: “I wouldn’t say I had any grand ideas at the beginning. There were no strategies as such. I just wanted to help as many people as possible.

“I think Molly Olly’s is part of a big jigsaw with other people like CLIC Sargent, the community nursing teams, the hospital – you put us all together and we can help get people through.

“The hospital are brilliant at helping you and looking after you and getting you through medically, CLIC Sargent will come in and be that link between home and hospital but it’s more of the emotional support that we will offer to people. It’s about putting all those pieces together.”

Tim Ollerenshaw said: “When we started the charity I never anticipated that there would be a day when we could announce that £2m had been raised. What a testament to all those who have contributed for the benefit of children and their families challenged by serious illness.

“One of my fears when Molly died is that she would be forgotten but every day she lives on with the help the charity provides to others. Molly was full of smiles, positivity and thoughtfulness and incredibly determined. The charity aims to mirror those traits in our work.”

Having gained its charity status in 2012, the charity has so far helped more than 2,000 children from newborn to age 18 by granting individual wishes. They may take the form of equipment to help a child live day to day with their condition; an alternative therapy treatment to complement traditional medicine, or even a special occasion or day out.

Rachel said: “In doing the wishes the one thing I hadn’t anticipated is how grateful people are and how they want to fundraise for you in return. As we grow and provide more wishes, more families want to help the charity.

“We know that little things can have a big impact and that time spent with family is priceless. Any request for a wish is discussed with families and the relevant health care professional to ensure that it supports the child as much as possible.”

Molly Olly's Wishes, Warwick, Rachel Ollerenshaw
Olly the Brave joins the fundraising effort at last year’s Leamington Carnival parade.

Mascot of the charity is a therapeutic toy lion called Olly The Brave who has his own Hickman line and a detachable mane that helps to explain and normalise the hair loss that comes with many types of chemotherapy. These form part of an Olly the Brave pack that has now been handed out to 40 hospitals across the UK along with a book Olly The Brave And The Wigglys.

There are now three books in the series, all written and illustrated by local author Diane Maybey. The first two were Highly Commended by the British Medical Association at the 2017 Patient Information Awards, and the third instalment, published in March this year, helps children who struggle after treatment to return to a ‘normal’ life.

The Ollerenshaws have also been overwhelmed by the amount of fundraising support they have received including a wide variety of events from gala balls and sporting occasions through to individual sponsored challenges.

But one of the charity’s proudest achievements came in April last year with the funding of the first Molly Olly consultant in paediatric palliative medicine at Birmingham Children’s Hospital.

Rachel said: “The hospital did not have a palliative paediatrician and had been trying to get funding for the post for some time. This is a massive achievement for a small charity like ours.”

Some 30 children a week in the UK are given a cancer diagnosis, and more are told that they have a life-threatening or terminal illness in one form or another. Many of these, especially those diagnosed with leukaemia will be under five years old.

Rachel added: “When children are newly diagnosed with any life- threatening or terminal illness, the shock to both parents and patients is immense. The hospital environment, full of new sights, sounds and smells can be disturbing.

“They are very quickly thrown into an environment alien to them and have to take in a whole new world of procedures, language and interactions with doctors, nurses and other health professionals. This all has to be done while accepting the diagnosis itself. It is a very frightening and challenging time for all concerned.”

Rachel Ollerenshaw is pictured with Michelle Heaton and Claudia Jessie at The
Pride of Birmingham awards event in Birmingham last year. (2019)

It’s certainly been a deeply emotional journey for the Ollerenshaws, but one that Rachel says has brought a whole new perspective.

“I feel very privileged to be able to help people and do something that I find very rewarding and that you feel is making a very real difference to people’s lives. Situations like Molly’s are rare and that can make you feel isolated and alone. We want families to feel supported and to know that we can offer help.

“Receiving the wishes and hearing all the different stories is emotional and very sad at times but sharing these experiences is also therapeutic and builds very strong friendships and a better understanding.”

Molly was the middle child of three and for brother Ben, now at university, and sister Maeve, it’s also been the steepest of emotional learning curves.

Rachel said: “Maeve was two when Molly was diagnosed and Ben was five. I never told them untruths. So while we might not have been blunt in saying this is what it is, we never skirted around the truth and when they asked ‘Is Molly going to die?’ I said ‘yes’ because I didn’t want them to hear it from somebody else. I wanted to be the one to deliver that information to my children. It helps them to come to terms with things.

“All four of us dealt with it very differently. We’re a close family but all of us reacted differently and I think it’s about accepting that. There is no right or wrong way necessarily. It’s about letting people come to terms with things in their own time.”

But what advice does Rachel have for families experiencing the crippling pain of a recent child bereavement?

“Don’t be afraid to ask for help. We were very fortunate having people around us but still I didn’t like asking for help and you always think there is somebody more deserving than you. It’s all about connecting with the people who get what your journey is, allowing them to help you and providing you with that extra support or signposting you somewhere.”

For Molly Olly’s Wishes though, the fundraising continues in earnest with a host of events already planned or in the pipeline. Pictured above are just of the fundraising events and fundraisers over the past 12 months.

Rachel said: “The key thing for Molly while she was ill was just being normal and being able to do the same things as her peers, like wearing the clothes she wanted to wear, having her hair styled – just being a girl. So, for me, it’s about giving people those moments that make them feel they’re accepted like everybody else and not out on the edge.

“Thank you to everyone who has helped us and please keep supporting as sadly there will always be more children that need us.”

To find out more information about the charity or how to help or donate visit: https://www.mollyolly.co.uk

CORONAVIRUS: Warwick charity needs you now more than ever

CORONAVIRUS: Warwick charity needs you now more than ever

THE founder of a Warwick charity for children with terminal and life-threatening illnesses is appealing for donations following the cancellation of planned fundraising events due to the coronavirus pandemic.

It is estimated more than £50,000 in proceeds will be lost to the charity which has still vowed to continue its work behind the scenes granting wishes for when lockdown is over.

Molly Olly's Wishes, Molly Ollerenshaw
Molly Ollerenshaw just a few weeks before she passed away, aged eight.

Events wiped off on the charity’s calendar for the next three months include the Kenilworth Rugby Club Charity Lunch and Molly Olly Raceday at Warwick Race Races in March; an Easter egg collection for hospitalised children in April; a fundraising ball in Worcester in May, and a charity golf day in Wythall in June as well as lost proceeds from London Marathon runners on April 26th and Velo cyclists on June 21st.

Molly Olly’s Wishes was established in 2011 following the death of Rachel and Tim Ollerenshaw’s eight-year-old daughter Molly from a rare kidney cancer.

The charity works to support children with terminal or life-limiting illnesses and their families and help with their emotional wellbeing as well as grant wishes and donate therapeutic toys and books to both children directly and to hospitals throughout the UK.

Having gained its charity status in 2012, the charity has so far helped more than 2,000 children from newborn to age 18 by granting individual wishes. They may take the form of equipment to help a child live day to day with their condition; an alternative therapy treatment to complement traditional medicine, or even a special occasion or day out.

Mascot of the charity is a therapeutic toy lion called Olly The Brave who has his own Hickman line and a detachable mane which helps to explain and normalise the effects of chemotherapy. These form part of an Olly The Brave pack that has now been handed out to more than 40 hospitals, along with a book from the charity’s exclusive Olly The Brave series.

Rachel Ollerenshaw and Olly The Brave and one of the Olly the Brave series of books.

There are now three books in the series, all written and illustrated by local author Diane Maybey. The first two were Highly Commended by the British Medical Association at the 2017 Patient Information Awards, and the third instalment, published last year, helps children who struggle after treatment to return to a ‘normal’ life.

Part of more than £2m raised by the charity to date, has also been used to fund the first Molly Olly consultant in paediatric medicine at Birmingham Children’s Hospital.

Some 30 children a week in the UK are given a cancer diagnosis, and more are told that they have a life-threatening or terminal illness in one form or another. Many of these, especially those diagnosed with leukaemia will be under five years old.

Rachel and Tim Ollerenshaw.

Rachel Ollerenshaw said: “Like everyone, Molly Olly’s Wishes is feeling the effects of the isolation due to the Coronavirus. For us the key thing is being able to support children and their families who faced challenging circumstances before the outbreak due to a serious illness and are now extremely vulnerable.

“Many fundraising events have been cancelled that provide the Charity with much-needed funds at a time when additional help for these individuals would be welcomed and help to alleviate some of the emotional and financial stress.

“We continue to grant wishes although supply of some items has been more difficult and our usual Easter Egg donations to children across the region that has been supported by local companies has been unable to go ahead. They may seem small things but these gestures mean a lot, particularly at a time of great uncertainty.

“We are looking at increased ways to help. These are worrying times, we need to pull together, support the most vulnerable. If everyone reading this made a small donation if could make a big difference.”

Further information about Molly Olly’s Wishes or how to donate can be found at: www.mollyolly.co.uk or contact Rachel on 07747 854914.

Read Molly’s story here

In the pursuit of excellence over three decades

In the pursuit of excellence over three decades

IT is with a sense of immense pride that Steve Richardson looks back on the growth of his adventure pursuits business – just as it enters its fourth decade of trading.

The 30th anniversary of Adventure Sports in Warwick marks a huge milestone for the site where a 40-strong team instruct on more than 50 activities, from driving and shooting through to corporate teambuilding.

Adventure Sports, anniversary, Warwick, Steve Richardson
Steve Richardson.

And it all evolved from humble beginnings.

Formerly a farmer, Steve, from Leek Wootton, was inspired to change direction when he spotted an advertisement appealing for a paintball site.

And so the first paintballing business in the Midlands was launched.

Following this activity’s increased popularity, in 1990, Steve identified his next opportunity to develop the business when the site was sold to Warwickshire Golf Course at the same time as a 100-acre Ministry of Defence rifle range was put onto the market by King Henry VIII Endowed Trust.

Adventure Sports was born.

He said: “I had been looking at ways of diversifying from farming and when I saw the rifle range had gone up for sale I quickly realised it was the ideal venue for me to expand to my business. We brought the business over here to Wedgnock Lane and started off with paintballing and clay shooting and expanded from there.”

As word spread and the local appetite for adventure grew, a menu of new activities soon began to emerge and, after acquiring six vehicles from the MOD dispersal sales, tank driving experiences were introduced. However, this was only to last 10 years before demand waned.

Adventure Sports, anniversary, Warwick, Steve Richardson
Matt Hill.

Steve’s longstanding business partner Matt Hill explained: “It fell out of favour during the first Gulf War when a lot of companies wouldn’t go near military stuff, so that marked a change in tide. It was no longer seen to be very politically correct to be sending your colleagues out on a military theme day when there was a war going on! Also getting parts for the vehicles became very difficult as they got older and became more unreliable.”

Other driving activities followed on the back of its earlier success, including 4×4 and, still one of Adventure Sport’s most popular choices, Quad Bike Trekking.

Matt, also from Leek Wootton, first started working with Steve at age 14 when after school he’d clean paintball guns and do odd jobs around the former site for pocket money. Thirty-three years later, he’s credited by Steve for playing a huge role in the company’s long term success.

Matt said: “We used to contract in a lot of stuff, such as archery, because we didn’t have the kit ourselves but, after a few years – and seeing how popular it is – you realise we can get qualified ourselves and deliver it ourselves and that’s very much the pattern for a lot of the activities we introduced over time.”

But, with a learning curve that has, at times, been as steep as some of the 4×4 course, the pair reveal a big part of the secret to their success has been responding to customer trends and demands.

Come and gone has been all manner of activities and workshops, from chocolate-making, perfume-making and even ferret racing right through to zorbing, helicopter rides and an off-roading activity called Mad Tracks.

Matt said: “This was head to head off-road racing which was massively popular but we just couldn’t keep the karts running because they were plastered with mud. We didn’t want to keep letting people down as reputation is hugely important to us, so it was with a heavy heart that we called it a day on that one after 18 months.”

Adventure Sports, Warwick, Anniversary, Steve Richardson
This archive photo from 1992 shows the old cricket pavilion now replaced by clubhouse. Steve Richardson centre and Piers Helps second right.

Steve, himself an Advanced Clay Pigeon Shooting Association Instructor, said: “Things very often come and go because they are fads. Ultimately, it’s about sticking with what works.

Matt added: “And teambuilding challenges have to be a lot softer these days because people are more risk-averse due to Health and Safety regulations. For example, we can’t lead any activities that involve water anymore. All the activities have always been safe but it’s people’s perceptions that have changed over the years.”

There is also a heavy focus on the company’s inclusivity policy, working frequently with Sportability (www.sportability.org.uk) – a national charity which provides sports and adventure pursuits for people with paralysis. The only barrier to disabled visitors taking part, says Matt, is themselves.

“From our point of view, the fact that they’re disabled is an irrelevance. It’s about proof that you can ride or shoot. They’ve only got to prove themselves in the same way anyone does.

“If they are willing to give it a go we will do our best to get them involved, whatever the activity. It may be awkward, and not terribly dignified sometimes, but we’d never turn around and say ‘no, you’re in a wheelchair so you can’t take part.’ We’ve even had blind people driving around our 4x4s course!”

Adventure Sports, Warwick, Anniversary, Steve Richardson
Tank driving used to be an activity offered by Adventure Sports. This photo from 2004 features Steve Richardson with cap on.

So what is it that really drives the company’s success? According to its founder, the answer is simple – its people.

“The core to any successful business is to find the right staff, staff that clients can relate to and talk to on their own level.,” said Steve.

None more so than his longest serving team members, including 70-year-old Shooting Ground Manager Piers Helps who, as Steve says, was ‘inherited with the rifle range’ all those years ago.

Piers said: “After all this time the most rewarding aspect of the job is still helping people to do things they have never done before. Seeing that smile on their faces is wonderful.

Adventure Sports, Warwick, Steve Richardson, anniversary
Piers Helps, aged 28, in 1978.

“For example, a gentleman came for a lesson about a year ago because shooting was part of his bucket list – and he was 97! He hit his clays and he was very happy.”

Others include site manager – and former tournament paintballer – James Sanderson and engineer Josh Baker, who have both chalked up more than 14 years at the company. Plus there’s vehicles instructor – and former movie stuntman – John Hollis.

And when John’s not around to share his showbiz stories, that sense of celebrity is still never far away with a line-up of visitors that have turned heads over the years, including TV presenter James May and seven-times World Superbike champion Carl Fogarty. The site has also acted as a set for TV shows such as CBeebies’ The Twirlywoos, The Gadget Show and even Blind Date.

Matt said: “The couple who were paired together on the show, were due to go to a health spa for some pampering but they weren’t those types of people so came along here, at short notice, to do some clay shooting and tank driving. It was very funny because they clearly didn’t like each other at all!

“For the Twirlywoos it took them literally the whole day to shoot one 20-second scene of a character falling into the mud but it was interesting to watch.”

Steve added: “Sometimes we’re surprised by people. The Leicester Tigers First team came here one day and, without wishing to name names, one of the props could not ride a quad bike to save his life. In the end the poor instructor just had to tell him to get off because he couldn’t coordinate himself. It doesn’t matter who you are, if we don’t feel you’re safe or in control of a vehicle, you won’t be allowed to continue. But the vast majority of people have no problem.

“Conversely, we once had a granny who came paintballing. She really got stuck in and very much enjoyed shooting her grandsons!”

Today the site offers a huge range of outdoor activities, including Mixed Activity events, Karting, Junior Karting, Clay Shooting (including 20 and 50 Shot Experiences for novices, Lessons and an extensive Sporting layout, Sportrap, Skeet and DTL for regular shooters, Quad Bike Trekking, Mud & Mayhem, Axe Throwing, Hovercraft, 4×4 Taster Sessions and Safaris, Rally Karts, Powerturn Karts, Reverse Steer Jeeps, Archery, Segways, Digger Driving, Treasure Hunts, Junior and Compact Paintball, Pistol and Rifle Target Gallery, as well as Team Building packages.

With current economic uncertainties still hanging over businesses, what does the next 30 years hold for the man whose project of passion has already overcome – and achieved – so much?

Steve said: “It’s been tough in times of recession because our overheads are very high. We have to pedal like mad to break even here so we weathered a couple of recessions and the uncertainty around Brexit has been the same for us again. It makes life very difficult when the corporate markets are so uncertain so I’m hoping that the confidence will come back now that everybody knows what’s going to happen.

“Brexit is not the result I would have wanted or chosen for the business but it’s the result we’ve got and so we’ve got to make the most of it and I hope that the confidence on the corporate market will come back because obviously corporate entertainment is the first thing to go in times of cutbacks.

“That said, the weekend work has continued to grow across the whole site and that’s why we added the go-karting circuit last year, to replace that lost corporate turnover.”

He added: “I’m very proud of the reputation we’ve got. Everybody who has been here has always said they’ve enjoyed it and has taken away good memories about their experience.

“I count myself as being very lucky to work in the great outdoors and the countryside looking after people who are having a great time and enjoying themselves. It’s very rewarding.”

Adventure Sports, Warwick, Steve Richardson, anniversary
Corporate events represent a huge part of the Adventure Sports offering.

In the short term watch this space for news of exciting plans for Adventure Sport’s next project – the county’s longest zip wire!

Longer term, the ink is still wet on an 18-year lease extension that’s just been signed for the site.

But now 58, is Steve privately eyeing up an early retirement before that lease expires?

“I would happily retire whenever as long as I was happy that the business would continue in the way it is and continue to grow. But I don’t have any plans to at present,” he said.

www.adventuresport.co.uk

CORONAVIRUS: Joining forces to ward off effects of pandemic

CORONAVIRUS: Joining forces to ward off effects of pandemic

A GROUP of enterprising small business owners in south Warwickshire have joined forces in the fight against the Coronavirus pandemic.

Winchcombe Farm glamping retreat in Upper Tysoe, has risen to the challenge of surviving the economic impact of the outbreak by inviting other neighbouring businesses to work together.

Winchcombe Farm, Jo Carroll, Steve Taylor, Coronavirus, Tysoe
Steve Taylor and Jo Carroll.

Owners Jo Carroll and Steve Taylor have teamed up with five other small businesses who will now offer a delivery service directly to the doors of their four holiday lodges – from hot meals through to artisan gin.

Jo said: “Due to our remote rural location, we remain open because the very nature of our business means you can stay in a tranquil private lodge or tree house amongst nature in an isolated location.

“Normally the only deliveries we receive are from the postman, but now other businesses like ourselves, are having to diversify to stay in business, and are offering delivery services”.

The enterprising couple are working around the clock to ensure their guests continue to enjoy safe and enjoyable stays on their farm and don’t miss out on any of the local delicacies on offer – including dry from the Pinnock Distillery  in the nearby village of Kineton.

Dan Beckett, owner Pinnock Distillery, said: “In what is undoubtedly the most challenging of times for small businesses, it is also heartening to see support and collaboration in action in this way and I am delighted to be working with Winchcombe Farm. This luxury holiday retreat is the perfect partner for our brand and we’re proud to be able to do our bit, along with other local businesses, to even further enhance their visitor experience.”

Jo added: “We’ve teamed up with our local gastro pub. Why go out to the pub, when it will come to you! The Peacock at Oxhill is now delivering all their delicious meals directly to guests in our holiday homes.

“Their chef has designed a takeaway menu fit for a king, including lots of lovely comfort food such as homemade steak and ale pie with creamy mash and sticky toffee pudding.

“Guests can give us a call and we will drop down linen tablecloths and napkins, plus a candelabra so you feel like you are really there!”

Winchcombe Farm, Ofishial Foods, Tysoe, Shenington, Coronavirus, Jo Carroll
Susie Medcalf hands over a delivery from Ofishial Foods to Kate Ashfield of Winchcombe Farm.

The local butcher – HC Lewis in Kineton, (www.lewisbutchers.co.uk) is geared up to make meat deliveries directly to guests and home-cooked frozen meals from Ofishial Foods are also available to pre-order.

Jo said: “This wonderful company is based just up the road from us in Shenington and have a dropped a couple of samples down for us to try so we can highly recommend them to guests. They will take orders and payment over the phone and then deliver your meals to us in time for your arrival. We’ll pop them in the freezer for you so they’ll be ready and waiting for you.”

John Hartley, of Ofishial Foods, said: “We are delighted to supply a wide range of tasty ready meals to Winchcombe Farm Holidays guests. Our meals are hand made in our kitchen just up the hill and we are so local we could deliver them on foot.”

Winchcombe Farm, Jo Carroll, Steve Taylor, Coronavirus, Tysoe
Tommy Hewitt of H C Lewis

Tommy Hewitt, butcher at H.C Lewis Butchers based in Banbury Street, Kineton said: “We sell a huge range of local reared meats, as well as eggs, savouries such as pies and deli treats. We introduced a delivery service in response to the recent situation and it’s proved such a huge hit with customers, we are looking into making it a permanent feature of our service. People clearly want good quality, fresh meat delivered directly to their door.”

Shipston-on-Stour baking company Sweet Heart Bakes are also on hand to deliver their fresh homemade quiches, tarts and puddings directly to the door when pre-ordered.

Winchcombe Farm is home to four bespoke luxury holiday homes, including Warwickshire’s only tree house, nestling in an idyllic Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty in the rolling Warwickshire countryside on the North East tip of The Cotswolds, and lies beneath the famous landmark battleground of Edgehill.

For more information and bookings visit: http://winchcombefarm.co.uk or call 01295 680190.

CORONAVIRUS: Restaurateur launches emergency Care Packages in response to virus

CORONAVIRUS: Restaurateur launches emergency Care Packages in response to virus

AS WELL as pledging to continue serving his customers during the Coronavirus lockdown, an award-winning restaurateur has gone one step further to help.

Alex Clayton, who owns Spanish restaurants Flamenco and Tasca Dali in Warwick, is launching Care Packages, including cleaning and food shopping services.

Flamenco, Tasca Dali, Alex Clayton, Warwick, Coronavirus
Alex Clayton outside Flamenco in West Street.

While available to everyone, the new pick and mix-style packages have been designed to particularly support the elderly and vulnerable who are being asked by the government to self-isolate for three months.

From Monday, food can be ordered by all customers direct from the restaurant as well as through Uber Eats – with free delivery in Warwick.

But vulnerable members of society can also take advantage of weekly cleans being organised by Alex, as well as a free grocery shopping delivery.

An additional 10% discount is being offered on any orders for the Over 70s and for NHS staff (with ID).

Alex said: “As a local business that provides amazing food and service to those who live nearby, we want to give back as much as we can to people in these trying times and for that reason we are now offering a full delivery service so people can still enjoy our food from home.

“We are trying to adapt in a complex environment and help those loyal customers who have supported us over the years.”

Flamenco, Tasca Dali, Alex Clayton, Warwick, Coronavirus
Alex Clayton at Tasca Dali in High Street.

Alex is also quick to reassure people that strict hygiene measures have been implemented at both Flamenco in West Street and Tasca Dali in High Street.

“In this time when there is much worry about the effects of COVID19, I would just like to reassure everyone that at Flame’nCo and Tasca Dali, we follow a strict cleaning regime disinfecting all tables before and after use as well as all cutlery, glassware and plates. We go above and beyond current WHO guidelines.”

He added: “In addition, many of our tables in Tasca have copper tops which have strong anti-bacterial and anti-viral properties. The air in our restaurants is filtered via a UV recirculation filter which is the same technology as that used in hospitals. We also have reduced the maximum capacity of the restaurant by 50% so that there is plenty of space between diners.

“I am personally here to look after you. We have been here now seven years, were awarded Best Spanish Restaurant of The Year and I do hope, with your support, we shall be here another seven years at least!”

Flamenco, Tasca Dali, Alex Clayton, Warwick, Coronavirus
Paella is among the favourite dishes included on the new fast track takeaway menu.

In a further measure to try and sustain business, customers are being encouraged to support the restaurants by buying gift vouchers. As an incentive, a 10% discount is also being offered on all vouchers purchased until April 30th.

Visit: https://flamencowarwick.com and www.tascadali.com for further information. Visit https://flamencowarwick.com/uber-eats-menu for the takeaway menu. Visit: https://www.tascadali.com/takeaway-homecare for the Care Package and visit: https://flamencowarwick.com/covid19 for full Covid-19 for full hygiene statement.

Official WHO (World Health Organisation) guidance on Coronavirus is available at: https://www.who.int/emergencies/diseases/novel-coronavirus-2019/advice-for-public