Thornton photographer captures residents' lives in lockdown to raise money for food banks

Ella Jay Coxhead, 26, photographer at Ella Jay Photography, captured photos of her neighbours in Wells Close, Thornton, for donations to the Trussell Trust, an organisation which supports food banks across the UK.

After being furloughed as a digital marketer for the Winter Gardens in Blackpool, Ella wanted to continue her part-time work as a passionate photographer and boost her creativity during the uncertain coronavirus lockdown period.

Ella said: "I work as an events and portrait photographer around my full-time job, but it's not just another job to me, it's my passion.

"I wanted to bring a little bit of joy to the neighbours on my street, because it's quite a dark time at the moment. It was also a way for me to stay creative while I'm at home with my mum, brother and step-dad.

"I'm taking the lockdown very seriously, so everything was taken at a safe distance. It was so much fun, we had a great laugh doing it."

After coming across the national charity The Trussell Trust online, Ella decided to ask for donations to them instead of charging neighbours for her photos.

The Trussell Trust supports Fylde Foodbank, whose main centre is based at the United Reformed church on St George's Avenue, St Anne's.

Fylde Foodbank also has centres at Kirkham's Citizens Advice Office and Warton Village Hall.

So far, Ella has raised £85 for the trust and hopes to continue to make donations to them through her photography.

Ella continued: "There are so many people struggling at the moment, but it's awful to think some people are even struggling for food, so I wanted to help in any way I could.

"Taking these photos meant I could donate to the charity and carry on doing what I love at the same time.

"The response has been brilliant, I've even been approached by residents on other streets to ask if I can come and take some for them too."

More of Ella's work can be found on her website.