A FOOD redistribution charity with centres across the North-East is appealing for volunteers to help feed vulnerable people.

FareShare, the UK’s largest charity of its kind, has centres in Sunderland, Newcastle, Gateshead, South Tyneside, east Durham, Stockton and Middlesbrough.

It “rescues” good quality surplus food and gives it to local charities.

A spokesperson for FareShare said: “Don’t be fooled, there really are thousands of people in need – hidden in your community, suffering quietly, debating whether to buy food or pay the power bill. It’s that serious for some people.

“But to do this FareShare needs many more volunteers. These are the food heroes – the ones sorting the food in your local FareShare regional centre, putting food orders together and delivering that food to many incredible frontline charities.

“You can be a food hero too – it doesn’t take much time and by volunteering just a few hours a day, you can make a massive difference. And not just in the warehouse – you could be speaking to charities, or pushing the word out on social media.”

1XL, the digital advertising partnership of The Northern Echo’s publisher Newsquest, is working with FareShare to get the word out and appeal for volunteers.

More information on how to volunteer can be found at www.fareshare.org.uk/volunteer