Youth club praised for 'absolutely fantastic' donations to local food banks

Rainford Boy's Brigade and Girls Association is community-focused youth club which looks to "develop young people in a non-school environment".

The club offfers children a safe place to socialise, get active and learn new skills, while also educating them on social issues, wellbeing and engaging in charitable events.

The group get involved in numerous fundraisers throughout the year, raising money, resources and awareness for local causes and those less fortunate in our society.

The group shopped, stocked and distributed more than £400 worth of food and essentials

After experiencing difficulties and delays in their fundraising efforts due to the pandemic, the group put the £400 raised from last year's Christmas Eve treat boxes to good use and stocked up a significant amount of food and essentials parcels for those in need.

With volunteers giving up their own time to shop, stock and distribute the parcels, it was donated to The Hope Centre on Atherton Street, where St Helens Foodbank operates.

Dave Lanc, one of the leaders at the Brigade, said the group are "lucky to have such wonderful young people in their company."

He added: "[The idea was] to help support the less fortunate in society. That's the ethos in BBGA culture."

The volunteers gave up their own time to stock the parcels, which were then donated to the Hope Centre

With foodbanks in desperate need of donations in the run up to Christmas, many residents, including staff at the Hope Centre, celebrated the thankless work of the young people and volunteers with their efforts.

One Rainford resident said: "That's absolutely amazing, well done to everyone involved" while another stated that the group "must be proud of this achievement for a great cause".