UK man has stockpiled 600 cans of food in shed 'to prepare for worst'

UK man has stockpiled 600 cans of food in shed 'to prepare for worst' Ex-Army man Ian Ferguson said he didn't plan to stop A 'prepper' who is stockpiling in case of a national emergency has stored 600 cans of food in his shed. Ian Ferguson, 71, has hundreds of cans at home, including stews, soups, beans, curries, rice pudding and fruit. His collection started in 2022; he now has 600 cans of food - and doesn't plan to stop. Dad-of-two Ian initially began buying additional cans in his weekly food shop because of the war in Ukraine. He believes six tins a day would be more than enough for himself and could last him at least 100 days. But Ian's efforts aren't just for himself; he wants to protect friends and family and believes community is the only way to survive emergencies. He also has wind-up radios, camping stoves, sleeping bags, water filtration tubes, an axe, saw and other basic tools needed to collect survival supplies from nearby woods. 'Like insurance' Ian, the owner of a taxi company in Weymouth, Dorset, said: "There's a phrase 'nine meals between mankind and anarchy'. That's three days. Imagine you didn't eat for three days. "These days everyone is so impatient and intolerant it would probably be three meals before anarchy. You've got insurance on loads of things in case something bad happens, so what's your insurance for having food in the house? ''Because money won't be any good when the supermarkets run out. I'd go shopping about once a week and by four, six, eight tins, whatever and stick them in big ASDA delivery boxes in my shed. I've got 13 boxes full of food. "Originally I thought I'd get to 500, then I got to 600, but I don't think I'm going to stop. I've got stews, soups, beans, I've got some curries in a tin, rice pudding, fruit. ''If you're hungry it doesn't matter. Peas, pudding, carrots, stuff like that. You could mix them up." Ian is not concerned with expiry dates and said it was something people continuously argue about. He said: "People are obsessed with use by and sell by dates. 'They then go buy cigarettes with pictures of cancer-full lungs. We're very selective about what warnings we're going to heed. Obviously supermarkets want you to keep buying." He stressed the importance of people with allergies ensuring they have appropriate food stored for themselves. Ian was part of the British Army in the 1970s and understands the impact of nuclear, chemical and biological warfare. Digital warfare concerns He is becoming increasingly concerned about digital warfare, referencing cyber attacks on water companies and supermarkets. Ian said: "Once the shops are empty, every supply chain is basically digital. It's not some bloke with a clipboard and a pen writing what you've got. When it goes down, nothing will happen. Everything will freeze. "I think we need to keep physical money to keep autonomy and flexibility in this system. People used to want tangible money. When your battery is flat on your phone, if there's no machine working, it means nothing to you." While Ian doesn't have solar panels, he believes solar equipment could become very useful - especially when attached to houses. He said: "If you have a community you can share stuff and work out nice things. I'm not looking at being the whole thing, I'm looking at being an active member of a community. "Food isn't the only answer. This whole thing isn't about me sitting there watching people starve. "Someone who may have solar panels might still have heating. I'm 71, I'm not buying solar panels now. I hope the kindness of humanity would come out." Some have argued to Ian that nothing may happen in his lifetime and he may not be able to give the food away. He said: "I'll open up the tins and give it to the birds and get on with my life. I might've wasted £1,000 or £2,000 on food, but I'd rather do that then get into a difficult situation and look at that money and wish it was food in front of me. I am hoping for the best and preparing for the worst. I'm more comfortable with that." 'More people should be prepared' Ian believes more people stockpile, but don't admit it for fear of theft in the event of a national emergency. In October, the Government launched the Be Ready campaign to encourage households to stay prepared in case everyday services are disrupted. The hope is that this will also reduce pressure on emergency services. Ian said: "They should say we're going to take the fat off generators; they could be doing a lot more. Selling a kit of stuff to get people started. That would be something. ''They're all for people helping themselves, but they've got an obligation to do a little bit. We need the government to articulate a story so everyday people understand the risk."