Meet the children who have been collecting food for five months to help their Northampton community

A group of children have been running a weekly food collection service for five months throughout the pandemic.

The youngsters, aged between five and 12, have been on a mission to collect donations for the food bank based at St David’s Church in Kingsthorpe.

Since lockdown began, the group has ventured out in all weathers to collect food so that the team at St David’s can supply vulnerable members of the community with food parcels including fresh food, cheeses and tinned goods.

While working hard to help others, the group’s work has been recognised more than once.

The volunteers were given a police escort on their latest round and were joined by PCSOs Rachael Barber and Dot Wilson-Townsend who gave them two extra pairs of helping hands.

PCSO Barber said: “Both Dot and myself were keen to join the youngsters on one of their collections to show our appreciation and support for the fantastic work they are doing.

“They are great role models for their peers, and a great inspiration to us all.”

The youthful group also caught the attention of Manchester United and England star Marcus Rashford, who liked a post on Twitter about the young volunteers’ efforts.

As lockdown eases and schools reopen, the youngsters will complete their last round today (August 27).

However, they are planning to arrange additional collections on certain times throughout the year.

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