A FOODBANK’S new takeaway project aimed at meeting the extra demand created by the roll out of Universal Credit has raised over £1,000 since its launch just over a week ago.

East Durham Trust initiative The People’s Takeaway will add to the provision of emergency food parcels in east Durham.

The launch comes as Labour MP for Easington Grahame Morris highlighted the the good work of the trust in the House of Commons, citing the case of a local mother who was forced to sell her child’s pushchair in order to provide electricity for her home.

The trust’s crowdfunding initiative comes in response to the potential problems as the controversial Universal Credit is introduced into the former mining community as part of the Government’s Welfare Reform programme.

Chief executive Malcolm Fallow said the trust has been delighted with the initial response but are mindful of the potential problems saying.

He said: “In a little over a week since launching the appeal we have received donations from near and far and it’s heart-warming to see that people care about those less well off than themselves.

“However, there is still a long way to go because with the roll out of Universal Credit and Christmas looming we know demand from struggling people will grow.”

The takeaway will see volunteers prepare food and deliver it to the homes of people facing hardship and the money raised will go towards equipment, training and running costs such as food purchases.

For further information visit www.eastdurhamtrust.org.uk.

The project is supported by Comic Relief’s Crowdmatch. This means if the charity reaches its £10,000 target Comic Relief will match it pound for pound and double the final amount.