A POPULAR farmers’ market has linked up with Redcar area foodbank to help it feed the thousands of people it helps in east Cleveland.

Over the next three months Saltburn Farmers’ Market will be raising funds for the foodbank, which has seen 5,000 people referred there in the 12 months to July.

And since opening in 2013 the Redcar area foodbank has helped feed more than 15,600 local people and families, giving both emergency food supplies and emotional support.

Now the foodbank is appealing for other local businesses and individuals to add their support before winter begins, by donating food, money or volunteering their time to help local people through a time of crisis.

Helen Hedges, project manager with the Redcar Area Foodbank, said: “We’re always humbled and inspired by the generosity of spirit of everyone here on Teesside.

“We simply couldn’t help as many people as we do without so many people making donations – and we’d love to hear from anyone else who can help us make sure that no-one has to go hungry this winter.

“It was fantastic to get a call from Lorna and the team at Saltburn to ask if they could help, and we really appreciate their support.”

A raffle with hampers as prizes will be held at Saltburn Farmers’ Market between now and December and proceeds will go to the foodbank.

Market manager Lorna Jackson said: “We don’t think anyone should have to face going hungry, so we’re happy to help in any way we can.

“The foodbank does an incredible job helping so many local people, really making a vital difference to people’s lives.

“And if anyone can’t make it along to Saltburn, people can still help the Foodbank by making food donations in their local areas throughout the rest of Redcar and East Cleveland too.”

Saltburn Farmers’ Market takes place today near Saltburn Railway Station from 9am-2pm.

Food donation points can be found at: Tesco’s at Redcar on West Dyke Road and Eston; Morrisons, Redcar; Circles of Life charity shop, 21 Queen Street, Redcar; Halifax, Redcar High Street; Iceland, Redcar High Street; The Co-Op, Marske High Street; Sainsbury’s Local, Dormanstown and Redcar; Sainsbury’s, Saltburn; and public libraries throughout Redcar & Cleveland.

For more information about the initiative visit www.redcararea.foodbank.org.uk or www.saltburnfarmersmarket.com