Bread giveaway as thank-you to society

Freddy Ponce, from Barnsley, lives with health complications including heart problems, and has also suffered a number of strokes.

The 63-year-old, from Manor Way in Hoyland, said he wanted “to do something nice for the community” while he is feeling well, so began baking loaves and rolls at home to give away free of charge at Hoyland Market.

Mr Ponce, who has qualifications in cookery and is a keen baker, said: “My wife has been pushing my wheelchair for three years and she got a pain in her back.

“Then, finally, I got a mobility scooter and it’s made me free again.

“I’m in debt with society, the NHS and everything. I need to do this to say thank you.

“Making bread is good exercise for me and I’m happy that people are coming to get it.”

Mr Ponce has been baking a range of breads to give away, including sugar-free rolls for those with diabetes and bread without gluten for people who suffer from coeliac disease.

He visits the market in his mobility scooter, with handwritten boards detailing the ingredients that go into each loaf. Mr Ponce said that the response so far had been “wonderful”.