Northampton Hope Centre needs a van to help collect and deliver food to those in need

Northampton Hope Centre is appealing for anyone with an unwanted or currently unused van to let them use it to keep feeding those in need.

The homelessness charity runs its own food bank as well as co-ordinating other donations in the town during the coronavirus crisis.

Chief executive Robin Burgess said the demand has risen so much that its current fleet is permanently busy so having another van to collect and drop off supplies would make a big difference.

"Because we are so active in terms of collecting and distributing food to people in need, not just for ourselves but we're also acting as a hub for other food banks in Northampton, our van is on the road the whole time," he said.

"So we're really short of vans and drivers. We own one but have others that have been donated by businesses or individuals that are not using them at the minute but are happy to see them put to good use."

The Hope Centre needs a Transit-size van that can be driven with a normal driving licence in a reliable condition that can handle going around Northampton distributing food.

Robin added: "If someone could donate it that would be lovely but if we could just use it for a while, like the next three months or so, that would be ideal."

For more information, call the Hope Centre on 01604 214300.

A message from the Editor:

Thank you for reading this story on our website. While I have your attention, I also have an important request to make of you.

In order for us to continue to provide high quality and trusted local news on this free-to-read site, I am asking you to also please purchase a copy of our newspaper when you do your weekly shop.

Our journalists are highly trained and our content is independently regulated by IPSO to some of the most rigorous standards in the world. But being your eyes and ears comes at a price. So we need your support more than ever to buy our newspapers during this crisis.

With the coronavirus lockdown having a major impact on many of our local valued advertisers - and consequently the advertising that we receive - we are more reliant than ever on you helping us to provide you with news and information by buying a copy of our newspaper.

Thank you