Stephen Hawking's final gift helped to feed the hungry in Cambridge

On the day of the scientist's funeral, the family funded a special charity Easter meal

Stephen Hawking

Published: Tuesday, 3 April 2018 at 10:58 am

While Stephen Hawking's family was laying the renowned scientist to rest at his funeral on Saturday, elsewhere in Cambridge 50 hungry people were sitting down to a hot meal "on Stephen".

Ad

FoodCycle, a charity helping the hungry in Cambridge, organised an Easter lunch at a local church – and when the guests turned up they found notes on the tables: "Today's lunch is a gift from Stephen. From the Hawking family."

Guests gave a "little cheer" in honour of Hawking before tucking in.

Want to see this content?

This page contains content provided by YouTube. We ask for your permission before anything is loaded, as YouTube may use cookies and other technologies. To view this content, choose 'Accept and continue' to allow YouTube and its required purposes.

Accept and continue

Hawking's funeral took place in the city on Saturday 31st March following his death at the age of 76.

Alexis Collis, FoodCycle's East of England Regional Manager, told ITV: "Lucy Hawking [Stephen's daughter] contacted me and mentioned that the family would like to make a donation so that while the funeral was taking place people would be sitting down to a hot meal 'on Stephen'.

Want to see this content?

This page contains content provided by Twitter. We ask for your permission before anything is loaded, as Twitter may use cookies and other technologies. To view this content, choose 'Accept and continue' to allow Twitter and its required purposes.

Accept and continue

"It was a really kind gesture that I think fitted well with the sympathy Prof Hawking felt for people who were having a tough time of things."

The community meal was open to anyone in need of a hot meal and a chat, with guests including the elderly, the homeless, refugees, people with mental health issues, and the unemployed.

Want to see this content?

This page contains content provided by Twitter. We ask for your permission before anything is loaded, as Twitter may use cookies and other technologies. To view this content, choose 'Accept and continue' to allow Twitter and its required purposes.

Accept and continue

FoodCycle Cambridge collects unwanted food from businesses and organisations around the city in order to host a meal every Saturday. The Hawking family's donation is generous enough to fund several meals for hundreds of future guests.

Ad

"The meals are open to anyone and there's no need to book or have a voucher," Collis explained. "No questions are asked and the meals have a great community feel with groups of difference people who might not otherwise meeting sitting down round a table together."

Authors

Eleanor Bley GriffithsDrama Editor, RadioTimes.com

Ad

Ad

Get the Christmas double issue

Too much to watch at Christmas? Let Radio Times do the choosing to find something the whole family will enjoy.

Subscribe by 3 Dec

Loading...

Ad

Loading...