A NINE-year-old girl who sparked a major community effort over the weekend is among those who have been trying to make sure children do not go hungry this half term.

Daisy Simpson, who is a pupil at Heathfield Primary School in Darlington, decided she wanted to do something to help on Thursday after watching the news.

With help from her mum, Cheryl Pattison, she set up a Facebook page and was inundated with support, including from members of Daisy's under 10s team at Darlington Girls Football Club.

With more than £1,000 raised, they have been able to buy enough food to make hundreds of bags and boxes.

They spent yesterday making bags and delivering them to families who asked for help. 

Ms Pattison said: "It's been madness but the generosity of people has been amazing.

"The response has been overwhelming. 

"It's been heartbreaking reading some of the messages from people who have reached out. 

"I was sat on my laptop crying my eyes out at some of the messages."

She  added: "It's totally discrete. There's no song and dance. We just knock on the door, leave the food and walk away."

The community effort took over Harrogate Hill Methodist church at the weekend and bags are being delivered to other venues, including Red Hall community centre and Grange Road Baptist church.

Cornerstone Arts will also be giving away 50 free packed lunches on Thursday from its venue in Northgate. 

Daisy is now planning to do something similar for the Christmas holidays and her football team mates are keen to get involved.

On Saturday, a large team of volunteers turned out at the Town Hall to fill 300 bags of free food to provide school meals in an initiative co-ordinated by Darlington Cares, in partnership with The Bread and Butter Thing charity.

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