Target in sight for Newcastle-Staffs Foodbank

A foodbank in Newcastle-under-Lyme is appealing for supporters to give one last push to help it reach its fundraising target.

Spencer Smith completed the hefty challenge of running a half marathon around the borough and carrying out a 100-metre casualty drag – all in his full firefighter kit on Sunday 17 May to raise money for Newcastle-Staffs Foodbank.

His efforts were all the more impressive as Spencer, a retained firefighter based at Newcastle-under-Lyme station, had just come off a very busy shift. Now Newcastle-Staffs Foodbank and Spencer are asking anyone who can, to make a pledge for the foodbank which is aiming to raise £5,000.

Spencer, aged 45 of Hartshill, said: “I completed the half marathon in three hours and five minutes which I didn’t think was too bad considering I’d been on an incident since 5.45am. Any help for the foodbank will be greatly appreciated. It’s an amazing cause.”

Spencer’s route took him through Knutton, Alsagers Bank, Scott Hay, Silverdale and towards Clayton, starting and finishing at the station in Knutton Lane.

The foodbank, based in Chesterton, has seen a 32 per cent increase in clients this year, with the effects of the coronavirus outbreak causing many more families and individuals to seek support. It fed more than 1,000 people in March and April.

Fundraiser Ann King said: “We’ve had a fantastic response to our appeal for funds and support since the coronavirus outbreak and we want to say thank you to each and every person, like Spencer, who has gone out of their way to show they care for people in their community. We are just a few hundred pounds off our total. It would help so many people if we hit our target.”

To sponsor Spencer and donate to Newcastle-Staffs Foodbank visit https://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/newcastle-staffs-foodbank—covid19-crisis-appea

Details of how to support the foodbank can also be found here https://newcastlestaffs.foodbank.org.uk/give-help/