Tributes paid to Largs Food Hub pioneer Irene Weir

Irene Weir, 70, died in hospital after a battle with lung cancer on September 20, and has been credited with being the driving force behind the community larder which provides reduced prices for shopping to help people in need.

Irene was very much the beating heart of the facility based at Largs Library, and devoted much time and energy towards the project.

Maggie, 72, told the News that Irene was a fantastic friend, and all the volunteers at the Largs Food Hub, numbering 16 in all, will miss her generous spirit and warm character.

One of our angels: Irene Weir was devoted to helping others (Image: Newsquest)

Maggie said; "I saw her the night before she passed and Irene was telling me what to buy for the following morning for the Food Hub, so when I heard that she had passed away it came as quite a shock.

"She had been focussed in getting as much food in to help others as possible and that really is testament to her.

"She was a very determined person and always made sure everybody was well organised and knew what each person required to do in their roles.

"Even at the Viking Festival she made all the tubs for putting in lolly sticks at the Largs Food Hub stall which we had at the festival, and organised the fund-raising tombola. She really cared about the Food Hub and everything it stood for."

Irene is originally from Greenock, but spent most of her life in catering and lived in England, before moving back to the west coast of Scotland and living in Boyd Street. She is survived by her brother, Derek.

Food Hub launched in February (Image: North Ayrshire Council)

Maggie said: "Irene was always organising the shopping lists for Iceland and Aldi as they are the cheapest and there would be huge shopping trips to make sure the trolleys were full for the larder.

"With her background being in catering, she knew about food and how things ran and keeping people in order, and she was a real character. 

"She was small and fiery, and very passionate about everything to do with the Food Hub and she loved to help other people. That was her focus. She deserves a lot of credit for helping to get the whole Food Hub up and running."

Largs Community Council secretary Linda Smith, who is a volunteer for the Food Hub, said: "In the short time Largs Food Hub was open Irene was very committed to it and put in a lot of effort setting it up and getting it established.

"She gave a lot of her time keeping the larder stocked with the essentials people need. A great loss to us."

The food larder opened in Largs to provide affordable access to food to top up a member's weekly food shop.

The Food Hub is based at Largs Library and anyone is welcome to join as a member.

Each member can come on a weekly basis to select what food they require. This is based on a points system depending on the size of your family.

Largs Food Hub is is open on a Tuesday from 2.30pm to 5.30pm, and a Friday from 10.30am to 12.30pm.

Anyone who is finding it difficult to afford their weekly food shop can come along and do a top up shop.

Unlike a food bank, the larder is not an emergency food provision, and no referral is required.

Membership is open to everyone in the area, and all that is needed to join the scheme is a letter to confirm your name and address and a form of ID.