Generous Chesterfield chip shop owner cooks up 90 free meals for vulnerable people and NHS heroes before shutting

Lee Jones only took over the Crooked Fryer, in Newbold Road, in October and said he had around about two days of fresh fish ready to go when he realised he would have to close because of the coronavirus pandemic.

So the 33-year-old contacted the Covid-19 community group on Facebook and asked them to find local residents who were most and need of a tasty treat, while Lee got frying, along with niece Alicia Newsome.

Around 30 portions went to NHS staff manning the 111 centre, while a further 60 were distributed to elderly and vulnerable residents around Chesterfield by volunteers.

He said: “We get all the fish in fresh and I had just prepared it all for the next couple of days, and I couldn’t have it going to waste so I contacted the support group and asked them to help. I just got it all cooked and ready to go.

“The group put a post out for anyone who was at high risk and in lock down. I’ve had lots of people message me to say that their parents had my fish and chips and to thank me. It was just the right thing to do.

“It was just an extra day’s work for me, but at least I know that I managed to put smiles on a lot of people’s faces and it seems to have gone a long way to help cheer people up. I’ve now had another group who are providing meals for the vulnerable contact me and I’ve leant them my fridge and freezer while I’m shut because it’s just going to sit there.”

Chesterfield NHS worker Amy Busby, who contacted your Times to tell us about Lee’s generous gesture, said: “I was lucky enough to be on the receiving end of some free chips and they were delicious and I know that someone who is in their 90s who I volunteer for in an unrelated role got some as well.”