A CROWDFUNDER page set up to raise emergency funds for North Ayrshire Foodbank amid the COVID-19 outbreak has alresdy raised a phenomenal £10,000.

The success of the fundraising page along with redirected grant funds, individual donations and support from North Ayrshire Council means the Foodbank can continue delivering vital meals to children until September.

Craig Crosthwaite, North Ayrshire Foodbank Coordinator, said: “We’re trying to raise money to carry on making our prepared meals. Our full-time chefs are cooking up to 500 meals a day.

“The meat alone costs £18-19,000 over the 23 weeks that the schools are closed. The North Ayrshire Council systems are brilliant and working at break neck speed but there are people out there in need of extra support.”

A spokesperson at Beith Community Trust, one of the locality hubs distributing 200-300 meals a day for the Foodbank, said: “We deliver to 50 different households and we’re expecting that to increase. The majority of them are vulnerable families or elderly people that live on their own. They’re so appreciative to receive the meals.

“Our own cook is making soup for our customers and the Foodbank are giving us food for that as well. It’s a wonderful thing they are doing.”

Ayrshire musician Brownbear also assisted fundraising efforts by doing a livestream concert in aid of the Foodbank, helping to raise a further £3,000.

Brownbear told supporters: “I am truly humbled by your amazing response.”

Craig said: “We appreciate that every donation received is a sacrifice by somebody else. Right now the need is high as a lot of average to low paid households have suddenly lost their income and yet some of those households are still donating money.

“It brings a tear to my eye.”

You can make a donation by searching for North Ayrshire Foodbank on www.crowdfunder.co.uk.

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