A North East destination has pledged to give “vital” support to families as it names a network of food banks across the region as its new chosen charity.

Dalton Park, near Murton, County Durham, announced their partnership with County Durham and Sunderland Food Bank – a new collective that provides “invaluable support” to families across the North East when it comes to food and energy costs.

Operating 36 distribution centres, the charity has helped feed over 36,000 from April 2022 to March 2023 who were in food crisis.

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Richard Kaye, Centre Manager at Dalton Park, has praised the partnership that will see retailers across the shopping outlet raise funds for the food bank.

He said: “We are absolutely delighted to be supporting County Durham and Sunderland Foodbank as the work it does in the community is invaluable. 

“As the cost-of-living crisis continues to bite, we wanted to partner with a local organisation that is directly helping those in need.

 “Its foodbanks feed thousands of people every single month and the advice services are a vital part of its overall mission to assist people in crisis.

“The support provided by Dalton Park is a collective effort with many of our stores and guests getting involved in our fundraising.”

The County Durham retail destination receives millions of visitors a year, as organisers hope this partnership will help maintain the work of the charity that changes the lives of vulnerable North East families in crisis.

Glenn Jones, Chairman of Trustees at County Durham and Sunderland Foodbank, has expressed his delight at the “super opportunity” to work with Dalton Park.

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He said: “We are thrilled to have been chosen as Dalton Park’s official charity partner for 2023. Since we started in Durham in late 2011, The County Durham and Sunderland Foodbank has grown rapidly both with its coverage of these areas and numbers fed.

“The impact of the County Durham and Sunderland Foodbank is not just limited to those who receive food. It also has mobilised a wonderful group of volunteers and thousands of amazingly generous donors, without whom, none of what we do could be possible.”

He added: “Working with Dalton Park is a super opportunity for us as it gives us a chance to get all our messages in front of a lot of people and will hopefully generate additional donations and see more volunteers come forward."