Foodbank workers raise funds on 34km city walk

Dee Ward (centre) said members of the public were welcome to join part or all of the walk or "give us a wave"

Staff and volunteers who operate 15 food banks are walking between the sites to raise money and awareness about a fall in donations.

Dee Ward, project manager at Coventry Foodbank, said members of the public were welcome to join them and the food banks' founder Canon Gavin Kibble on the 21-mile (34km) route on Monday.

Ms Ward said she would be among staff members dressing up as a baked bean tin, milk carton and a cookie as they walked.

"Give us a wave, you won't miss us," said Ms Ward, adding they particularly wanted to raise awareness as "donations had gone down dramatically since Christmas".

Ms Ward believed the fall resulted from many people having less money.

"Disposable income has gone down and the longer it goes on for the more difficult it is for people," she said.

Hugh McNeil from the charity added: "Everybody has been affected by the cost-of-living crisis.

"Donations have plummeted as people are having to make the decision whether they make a food contribution or keep it for themselves."

Using reserves

He said the charity currently had "enough food for people" but it had been using some of its reserves which staff wanted to build up again before the busy summer period.

Demand in summer was partly driven by some families needing extra help when children were not getting free meals at school, he said.

The charity has seen demand for its banks increase over the past two years and said 29,000 people in Coventry used one in 2023.

It hoped people would join its Foodbankathon, which is in its second year, by walking or running the route or part of it.

Canon Kibble said he was expecting to take nine hours to complete the challenge, which starts at Coventry's most westerly food bank, at St Stephen’s Church, Canley, at 09:00 BST.

It ends at St Catherine’s Church in Stoke Aldermoor.