A MUCH needed Radcliffe foodbank is to get a new permanent home.

During lockdown the Trinity Foodbank has been providing an invaluable service from the Trinity Baptist Church in Westminster Avenue.

But with church groups needing to return to the venue, the project found itself in need of new space to ensure its survival.

A solution was found in acquiring an old shipping container which could be placed in the church car park.

Organisers of the foodbank applied for several grants but unfortunately there was still a shortfall in cash.

A Go Fund Me page was then set up, in a bid to raise £1,000, by Tina Harrison, of Corrie Gardeners, who has been running the foodbank with founder Sister Joan of the Caritas Catholic relief charity.

After hearing about their plight, Radcliffe Rotary Club and Bury Beacon Service generously donated the much needed money.

Volunteers have since cleared the shrubbery blocking the car park and allowed the container to be put in place.

Colin Harrison, founder of Radcliffe-based project The Woodies, will now refit the container's interior with office, counter and shelving for food.

Gillian Stainthorpe, secretary Radcliffe Rotary Club said: "Everyone is delighted at the progress made in such a short time and we all look forward to more combined working to improve the situation of so many people in the hard times still to come."

"This exemplifies the great community spirit in Radcliffe and people’s willingness to help as much as they are able," she added.

Trinity Foodbank was set up two-and-a-half years ago by Sister Joan.

Since then has been working in collaboration with and out of the Trinity Baptist Church, alongside the Corries Gardeners community group.

At the height of the coronavirus pandemic earlier this year, the foodbank was delivering some 120 parcels to several hundreds of people every week.

At the same time it was also facing a sharp loss in the number of its volunteers, many of whom are elderly and had to shield.

But with help from additional church volunteers the foodbank was able to continue its incredible work in the most trying of circumstances.

Trinity Foodbank is currently supporting around 300 people and delivering approximately 60 parcels weekly.

It supports a wide range of residents in need, from families with children, through to couples and single people, as well as asylum seekers and refugees.

Tina Harrison said: "We are dealing with people who have lost their jobs as a result of the Covid-19 outbreak, people who are still on furlough and just not managing, and people dealing with long term debt.

"We are not just a foodbank. We try and help try help people in whatever way we can with their situation."

In addition to ensuring people do not have to go hungry, the foodbank also offers a wide range of assistance.

Several of its volunteers are trained in mental health first aid to support people dealing with 'low level' problems.

They also signpost people to services and have translators to help people whose first language is not English.