'We will celebrate when our charity is shut down'

Fans Supporting Foodbanks in Liverpool was founded 10 years ago

An organisation which sees football fans providing food for those in need in Liverpool has marked its 10-year anniversary, but its founder has said it was not a milestone to celebrate.

Fans Supporting Foodbanks was founded in 2015 by Liverpool FC fan Ian Byrne and Everton FC fans Dave Kelly and Robbie Daniels to collect food donations on matchdays for local food banks.

Co-founder Mr Kelly said the organisation had also recently been given charitable status, meaning they were now eligible for public funding and grants after being funded entirely by "the generosity of scousers".

He told BBC Radio Merseyside: "We certainly won't be celebrating - we'll celebrate when we're closed down."

He continued: "It probably indicates how bad things have gotten out there on the streets that 10 years later there's still a need for us to get out there and do it."

'Empowering people'

Mr Kelly said the organisation had grown a lot over the last decade with the help of its team of volunteers.

He said a lot of volunteers for the organisation initially became involved from accessing the service themselves in times of need.

"Volunteering at the food bank has enabled people to get their confidence back...and a lot of them are getting back to work," he said.

"It's not just about providing food for those in need or those in crisis, it's about empowering people."

Mr Kelly said the food pantries also provided an opportunity for isolated members of the community to socialise.

"I spoke to a lad last week...he told me he hadn't spoken to anyone since he'd spoken to me the week before when he came to the pantry.

"[He said] the highlight of the week was coming to the pant on the basis that there was a good atmosphere, there was banter, there was laughter .

"The sense of community is there - its alive and kicking on the streets of this city."