SBA Police Community Units distribute food to families in need

The Sovereign Area Base Police Community Units in both the Eastern and Western Sovereign Base Areas on Thursday completed the distribution of food and toiletries to 265 financially strained families in surrounding villages.

The latest food collection began on March 30 and with support from community bodies and volunteers, the boxes, filled with donations from the SBA communities, the Bases and Cypriots, have now reached those in need.

SBA Police Chief Constable, Chris Eyre, thanked all those involved and said: “I am proud the Administrator of the British Bases has brought this programme under his auspices, as part of his commitment to strengthen relationships between the Bases and the Republic of Cyprus.

“Last Saturday, I had the privilege of taking part in ‘food aid’ collections in Limassol, Larnaca and Famagusta districts. The immense generosity of Cypriots in every shop and village was humbling to behold.

‘’I know that this generosity will make a genuine difference for Cypriot families this Easter.”

Asomatos community leader, Elena Themistokleous, praised the SBA Police support and said: “We are very grateful for the way the SBA Police continues to support vulnerable people and families through their charitable work. There are many families struggling at the moment due to the pandemic and the support provided during the Easter period is appreciated.”

Those words were echoed by the Turkish Cypriot community leader of Pyla, Veysal Guden: “I congratulate the SBA Police for this humanitarian initiative they took to help poor families in need during these difficult times of economic crises due to COVID-19,” he said. “This improved our cooperation and team work to support our communities during both the Easter celebrations and also during Ramadan.”

Michalis Kaounas, a community leader of Vrysoules and Acheritou, praised the SBA Police support, he said: “Without a doubt, the SBA Police displayed a multifaceted strategy approach to support institutions and fellow citizens in need.

“I want to thank the senior management team and the police officers for their great social effort and of course I would like to warmly thank all the generous benefactors and sponsors who contributed to this effort.”