Hero foodbank owner who serves people in need with grub from his garden shed fights off heartless thugs ‘who tried to rob and threatened to stab him with a screwdriver’

A foodbank owner who serves up food from a shed in his garden fought off heartless masked thugs who tried to rob the donations and threatened to stab him with a screwdriver.

Local hero John McGall has run the I Am Reusable Community Food Bank for four and a half years, helping 120 people a day 365 days a year.

And he was left horrified as he spotted two people on bikes attempting to break into the shed in York, after he was woken up by the noise at 1.20am. He said they wore hoods and had their faces covered.

After fleeing as Mr McGall shouted from his window, the brazen pair returned again just an hour later and continued their sick task – as they used an angle grinder to try and cut into his key safe.

The former charity-worker then left his house and crept up behind the pair to confront them, where they threatened to stab him with a screwdriver before fleeing – but not before he managed to snatch their bike.

‘Both of the lads didn’t manage to get into the shed thank goodness,’ he told YorkMix.

Local hero John McGall has run the I Am Reusable Community Food Bank for four and a half years, helping 120 people a day 365 days a year

He was left horrified as he spotted two people on bikes attempting to break into the shed in York, after he was woken up by the noise at 1.20am. Pictured: Mr McGall outside the shed

After fleeing as Mr McGall shouted from his window, the brazen pair returned again just an hour later and continued their sick task – as they used an angle grinder to try and cut into his key safe (pictured) 

‘I was threatened that they would stab me with a screwdriver when I took a bike off one of them.

‘The lads didn’t know what happened when I came out running. They were like frightened rats and in the struggle I got the bike.’

‘It makes me sick. I think they did it out of pure malice,” he added to The York Press. 

Mr McGall – who retired after having open heart surgery – was unharmed in the struggle, and said that police have now taken away the bike to aid in their investigation.

Donations are given to the community hub by supermarkets, cafes, farmers and York residents – with volunteers handing out sandwiches, soup and pastries in the evenings. 

Over last Christmas, they had more than 200 people visit the shed as they fight to feed as many as possible throughout the year. 

Posting on social media, Mr McGall added: ‘Why the hell do you think you need to break in to a food bank, in the early hours of the morning.

‘Beyond words!!’

Horrified locals reacted in shock as they saw the threats towards a pillar of York’s charitable community – with some noting that had the pair wanted the food, they could have come back the next day and got it for free.

One, IT consultant Simon Walker, said: ‘I really can’t think of anything lower than breaking into a food bank, particularly yours which is run by selfless dedication and the kindest of intentions.’

Mr McGall – who retired after having open heart surgery – was unharmed in the struggle, and said that police have now taken away the bike (pictured) to aid in their investigation

Another, Jan Jowett, commented: ‘Oh John, I’m so sorry to read this. What is the world and especially Britain coming too? 

‘I hope that you are ok. Love to everyone who gives up their precious time to help and thinking of you.’

And a third, Wendy Sykes, added: ‘I am saddened to read this. You must have felt so scared and threatened. 

‘Also saddened as to how our society seems to be descending into a lawless free for all.’

A North Yorkshire Police spokesperson said: ‘During this incident the suspects were interrupted by the victim.

‘When he seized one of their bikes they threatened him with violence. Investigations are still ongoing into this incident.

‘If you have any information or CCTV that could help with our investigation please call North Yorkshire Police on 101 and quote NYP reference 1224013682.’