Charity appeal for Christmas food collections help

Volunteer Jan Lawford at the FareShare depot in Guildford.

A food distribution charity is appealing for people to help with its festive collections.

Volunteers are needed to help FareShare Sussex and Surrey greet shoppers and collect food at ten Tesco supermarkets.

Last year 89 volunteers helped collect more than 16 tonnes of food over a three-day period.

The charity is also appealing for donations of dry goods and cupboard essentials to help support people across both counties.

Volunteer Carolyn Turner with donated food.

The collection drive runs between 09:00 and 21:00 from 28-30 November, and the volunteers are working three-hour shifts.

FareShare’s volunteer co-ordinator, Gemma Bradshaw, said: “Each shift has two or three people.

"So you can come with your friends or family and sign up to stand in front of the store with a collection area and help to collect food, which is really valuable to us."

The charity delivers food to 150 projects in Sussex and Surrey each week, from food banks and community fridges, to projects which bring people together over a meal, including those who would otherwise be alone at Christmas.

It collects surplus food from businesses, supermarkets and farms.

FareShare's volunteer co-ordinator Gemma Bradshaw at the Guildford depot.

Jan Lawford volunteers at the charity's depot in Guildford, and also delivers food.

She said: “As we’re coming up to Christmas with a lot of families struggling financially, then obviously it's super important if anybody can make a contribution, no matter how big or small.”

Participating Tesco stores include Lewes, Hove, Portslade, Shoreham, Littlehampton, Burgess Hill, Gatwick and Crawley.

This year there will also be collections at large Tesco supermarkets in Haslemere and Guildford.