Campaign to feed Blackpool children doubles original target by reaching £14,000

Lancashire's Deputy Police and Crime Commissioner Chris Webb, launched the fundraiser on October 23 with a £7,000 target and yesterday it had passed £14,000.

He launched the fundraiser after a vote in Parliament on November 23 in which MPs voted against extending free school meals in the school holidays, such as October half term and Christmas.

It was inspired by the petition started by football player Marcus Rashford to keep the free school meals in place.

Chris visited Blackpool Food Bank last week to see how some of the money raised was already being used to feed children across the resort.

He said: “It was my pleasure to meet up with the team at Blackpool Food Bank to thank them personally for everything they’re doing in helping the most vulnerable in our town, especially this half-term.

"All £14,000 from my fundraiser will go to help provide emergency food parcels for families and help directly tackle the huge levels of child poverty we have in Blackpool.

"We know that more than three quarters of children are living in poverty in parts of Lancashire, with over 9,000 here in Blackpool.

"Already over 70 per cent of children living below the poverty line are from working families, and we have only seen that figure rise during the pandemic.

"I’ve been campaigning to help eliminate child poverty here in Blackpool for a number of years now and unfortunately the numbers are rising due to the pandemic and Blackpool having the highest unemployment rate in the country.

"Whilst out delivering some emergency food parcels to the Talbot and Brunswick hub on Gorton Street, I saw up close how these meals will help so many children and families in dire need and I will be continuing to work with Blackpool Food Bank in the run up to Christmas.

"Marcus Rashford MBE, who himself experienced hunger as a child, acknowledged the fundraiser and praised the amazing total of £13,500 said that children will be going to bed 'thinking they do not matter'. And he’s right.

"No child should go hungry and these parcels are a lifeline to thousands in Blackpool and I want to express my eternal thanks to everyone who’s donated to my fundraiser. "

Helen Smith, operations manager at the food bank, said: “The fundraiser has helped us secure additional items for food parcels. In addition, it has put a spotlight on the generosity and support of the community during these challenging times.

"On behalf of the whole team at Blackpool Food Bank I would like to say a huge thank you to everyone who has donated, expressed an interest in volunteering with us, and to the local businesses who have offered free meals to struggling families over this half-term.

"The great success of the fundraiser will allow us to use these items in our food parcels to support over 800 families across Blackpool. We understand from our front-line partner organisations that the children and families have been very pleased to receive this additional support during a very difficult time.

"At Blackpool Food Bank we are an independent charity and primarily operate as a distributor to over 70 front-line organisations across the Fylde Coast. Partners in our Network include Street Angels, Horizon, Blackpool Community Homeless Project, CuriosiTea at 23, School Home Support, UR Potential and Fleetwood Food Bank to name a few.

"We are now planning for the upcoming winter months and school holidays over Christmas to ensure no child goes hungry within our town."