A MAJOR new fundraising campaign has been launched to tackle food poverty across Cheshire.

Lord Lieutenant David Briggs, the Queen’s representative in Cheshire, and High Sheriff Nick Hopkinson are appealing for people to donate money this Christmas and beyond.

The donations will support foodbanks and support services for families and individuals struggling to make ends meet in the Cheshire East, Cheshire West and Warrington boroughs.

Mr Briggs said: “The pandemic has gone on for far longer than we all hoped and there are many in Cheshire who are in real difficulty as a result – hundreds of people are literally hungry.

“The High Sheriff and I have been doing our best to get all the various agencies and charities cooperating, working together and to stop operating in silos.

“Delivering essential supplies to those in need is a complex process and involves arranging the use of warehouse equipment, pallet trucks, vans and racking, as well as sourcing food.

“Donations will be spent on dealing with emergencies this Christmas and also used early in the new year, when sadly the problem is likely to get bigger.

“This is a big issue for our time and we feel truly passionate that no Cheshire family should go hungry.”

Following an approach by the High Sheriff, AO.Com has worked with Swan cookware to donate 200 slow cookers to kick start the campaign and help struggling families prepare healthy meals.

Donations, which will be administered by the Cheshire Community Foundation, have already started to roll in towards the £200,000 target – and £20 will pay for a food box for a family of four.

If you can help, visit totalgiving.co.uk/appeal/feedingfamilies