Our Principal Partner Hollywoodbets is proud to highlight and reward the great impact of companies and individuals in our local community with the initiative Hollywood Heroes. So far this season, individuals and companies who worked with our Community Sports Trust have been chosen Hollywood Heroes. Our Hollywood Heroes for our match against Leeds United earlier this month were Meet and Deep Newsagents.

Shashi and Pallavi Patel have run Meet and Deep for the last 40 years, along with their sons – the shop's namesakes - Meeten and Deepen. The shop has become a pillar of the community, even more so since lockdown. The family have stepped up to offer support for the most vulnerable.

Meet and Deep have run a number of initiatives, helping people struggling with loneliness as well as providing a safe space for adults and children who may feel frightened or vulnerable. One of the main areas that was highlighted during lockdown was the number of visitors to the shop who were struggling with their mental health. Many would come in to buy an item, have a chat and stay a lot longer than they used to.

The family decided to put a chalkboard outside the shop to encourage anyone who is feeling lonely - or the pressures of life - to pop in for a chat. They also set up a phoneline from 6-7pm during the first lockdown that allowed residents to talk about anything on their minds. When schools returned in September, Meet and Deep became a safe space for children, allowing kids to come in and have some juice and snacks while making a call to their parents.

The whole family are true Hollywood Heroes. The Club would like to thank them for all their efforts in helping some of the most vulnerable members of the community through such a difficult time.

Hollywood Heroes was launched in conjunction with Principal Partner Hollywoodbets to highlight and reward the positive impact of volunteers and individuals in our local community. Hollywoodbets have provided nominees with boardroom hospitality tickets to say ‘thank you’ for all the hard work they have put in. Housing provider A2Dominion and the Hounslow Community Foodbox have also been recognised this season.

If you would like to nominate a Hollywood Hero, please contact [email protected] and request an application form. More information can also be seen here.