HE GOT up at 4am, drove 135 miles up the motorway and hand-delivered 5,000 breadcakes to a food bank to help Hull people.
Billy Babu, a radio presenter, author and entertainer, promotes himself as the "Robin Hood of Wolverhampton".
But his reach extends beyond the Midlands, as he proved yesterday when he turned up at a food bank run from Endike Community Care, a north Hull daycare centre for the elderly.
Mr Babu, who brought along a sidekick to help, used every available space in his Volvo to pack the breadcakes – or baps as Midlanders prefer to call them.
Revealing his motive while unloading his car, Mr Babu said: "I watched a television report a couple of months ago, which stated that Hull has one of the worst unemployment figures in England.
"But what got me was the woman who was interviewed. She was crying.
"I thought it would be nice to help these people. I approached some businesses for help.
"Some said times were tough and couldn't assist, but Lewis Bakery in Birmingham said 'yes' and they donated all these baps.
"I was up at 4am to organise everything, collected the baps on the way and hit the road."
Eileen Wright, manager of Endike Community Care, graciously accepted the donation and plans to distribute the breadcakes across the city.
She said: "It's a really nice gesture and we thank Mr Babu for driving all this way to help the people of Hull."
The Mail put Mr Babu in touch with the food bank after he enquired about a home for thousands of breadcakes.
Mrs Wright said many families are struggling to make ends meet, leaving them with no option but to visit the food bank.
"People really are struggling," she said. "One person who comes to us says she now classes toothpaste and toilet roll as luxury items – it's that bad."
For most, visiting a food bank is the last resort. People often tell us they feel like a failure. They feel down.
"No one wants to visit one but they are left with no choice when they need to feed their children.
"We try to get around this by providing a very relaxed atmosphere at Endike Community Care.
"Our staff also go door- to-door, asking if we can help, so families don't always have to come to the food bank.
"It helps ease the stigma some feel."
Mrs Wright, along with her staff and supporters, planned yesterday to give some of the breadcakes to organisations, such as William Booth Hostel, that help the homeless and less well-off.
"Billy has told me he feels really gifted," said Mrs Wright. "He leads a good life but recognises there are people worse off and he wants to help."
Asked if he had a message for the people of Hull, Mr Babu said: "Come and get your baps.
"My favourite meal is a free meal. Now enjoy."