Help the Hungry: Key religious leaders, including Bishop of London, get behind The Independent’s campaign

Imam Mohammed Mahmoud, who was hailed for his heroism during Finsbury Park terror attack, has also lauded our appeal

Faith leaders have rallied behind The Independent’s campaign to provide vital food supplies for the vulnerable during the coronavirus crisis.

The bishop of London, Dame Sarah Mullally, chief rabbi Ephraim Mirvis and imam Mohammed Mahmoud, who was hailed for his heroism during the Finsbury Park terror attack, have lauded our appeal, in conjunction with our sister title the Evening Standard, which has already been endorsed by Boris Johnson, Sir Keir Starmer and Sadiq Khan.

More than £1.5m has been raised to support work by The Felix Project in London, as it distributes food to the needy.

Dame Sarah said: “The Felix Project has for years provided vital supplies for Londoners who need help the most. A number of our churches across the capital, particularly those that host and run food banks and homeless shelters, have successfully partnered with Felix in the past. Never has there been a greater need for us all to come together to support the vulnerable in our local communities.”

Imam Mahmoud, who ran a half marathon to support Felix in 2017, said: “I applaud the good work that The Independent and The Felix Project are doing to feed and support the elderly and most vulnerable members of our community during this time of crisis. In difficult times, it is important that we all come together regardless of background and support each other as a community and as a nation, the best we can.”

Sarah Mullally, the new bishop of London, at St Paul’s Cathedral (Jeremy Selwyn)

With the start of Ramadan today, Imam Mahmoud added that he was particularly “moved by the good spirit” that people have shown towards others of late. “This project is close to my heart because I’ve seen first-hand the benefit that it has bought to the community. I urge everyone to continue to support Food for London Now and other projects like it.”

Imam Mohammed Mahmoud of the Muslim Welfare House (Matt Writtle)

Rabbi Mirvis called for a sense of community at a time when many feel isolated. He said: “The great Jewish sages taught that ‘anyone who saves a single life is considered to have saved the whole world’. In these extraordinary times, it is not only the heroes of the NHS who are called upon to fulfil this noblest aspiration. The efforts of The Independent and The Felix Project, together with their partners, make it possible for us all to play our part in saving the lives of the most vulnerable among us.

Rabbi Ephraim Mirvis at St John’s Synagogue (Chris Jackson/Getty)

“Today, as many thousands of people face the agonising uncertainty of not knowing where their next meal is coming from, we must reach out to them with compassion and reassurance. I urge everyone who is able to support the appeal.”

The Independent's appeal, in association with our sister newspaper The Evening Standard, was set up to fund The Felix Project, London’s biggest surplus food distributor, to provide for the delivery of food to the poor and elderly who are unable to afford supplies, or are stuck at home at risk of losing their lives. Felix currently delivers the equivalent of 100,000 meals a day to giant community hubs run by local authorities as well as charities and schools across the capital.

The Independent is encouraging readers to help groups that are trying to feed the hungry across the country – find out how you can help here. Follow this link to donate to our campaign in London, in partnership with the Evening Standard.