Major support for 15th Jersey Tinathon

Volunteers turned out to sort through the tin donations

There has been major support for the 15th Jersey Tinathon which helps people struggling with homelessness in the island.

The event arranged for donations of food to be given to the Jersey Shelter Trust to help feed the people the charity supports.

Volunteers helped gather and sort the tins out at West’s Centre from 08:30BST until 14:30 on Friday.

The final total from the event will be confirmed in the coming weeks but organisers hoped it will break last year’s record of 10,000 donations.

Richard Robins is hopeful that this year's Tinathon will be another success

Richard Robins heads up the Tinathon team and was helping count the donations.

He said they had “fantastic donations of food” and the Jersey Shelter Trust “needs as much food as we can get”.

“We are so grateful for the donations because there's so many people who have given to us including individuals, schools, churches, and businesses,” Mr Robins added.

The charity helps feed more than 100 people every night and last year it served more than 100,000 meals to those in need, which cost the charity more than £80,000.

Bex Belhomme has been a long-time supporter of the Tinathon

Bex Belhomme was one of the people who came to West Centre and donated to the Tinathon.

She said “I try to donate every year” because it is “nice to give back to your community”.

Ms Belhomme added: “We have to support those that are in need and we probably don't realise how many people need our help so I think it's good to give something.”

Jersey Shelter Trust said demand is rising for its outreach services and it delivered more than 1,500 food parcels last year.