NUMEROUS community groups were recognised in Parliament last month for the work they do for residents across the borough.

Last month, St Helens North MP Conor McGinn put forward a motion to be signed by fellow MPs which praised the work of local organisations for the work they do in the community.

With more than 2,500 members across the borough, particular attention was the St Helens Community Mobile Food Pantry service, which delivers food to locations across the borough, as well as other organisations such as the Saints Foundation and Fans Supporting Foodbanks.

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In the Motion put forward by Mr McGinn and signed by fellow MPs it said: "This House congratulates the team behind the creation of the St Helens Mobile community Food Pantry; notes that the pantry now has over 2500 members across the borough; pays tribute to Jim Housley and Paul Cooper and those who run the project and worked alongside Mission in the Economy, St Helens Council and Halton and St Helens Voluntary and Community Action to secure funding;

It continued: "[The motion] pays particular attention to the innovative collaboration with Fans Supporting Food Banks and the Saints Foundation to collect for local foodbanks at rugby league games in St Helens; welcomes such community based efforts rooted in social justice and activism; and encourages support for such initiatives and a commitment to eradicating food poverty in Britain.” 

Following the formal recognition of St Helens community groups in the House of Commons, Leader of St Helens Borough Council David Baines added:  "As a Labour Council we are proud to work together with Conor, our many outstanding local voluntary and faith organisations, and countless kind, hardworking residents.

"These are tough times for people but thanks to our community spirit we are doing all we can to help, and the mobile pantry is a perfect example of the St Helens Together approach. 

"I'm delighted that those involved in the project have received this recognition in Parliament and I thank Conor for doing this - it's very well deserved."