More than 70 local runners laced up their trainers and hit the streets of Penrith to make a difference in their community.
Eden Runners members took part in a Food Bank Run to donate much-needed supplies to The Salvation Army’s food bank ahead of Christmas.
They took to the streets of Penrith, with bags of donations in hand, pounding the pavements of the 10km route, starting at Penrith Rugby Union Football Club at Winters Park, calling in at The Salvation Army’s church and community centre on Hunters Lane to make their donations, before continuing their run.
The donations were received by Major Carole Donaldson. She said: “We’re always in need of donations to our food bank and at this time of year we are particularly busy as demand increases and people’s finances are stretched with families struggling to put food on the table, pay energy bills and the social pressures of buying Christmas gifts for loved ones.
“We’re always more than willing to step in and offer that much needed support, but we can’t do it without the generous donations that we receive from our local community, which are greatly received as referrals continue to rise and donations take a dip as some people that used to help and donate are finding themselves pushed closer to poverty, a position they never thought they would be in.
John Myatt, a member of Eden Runners and a volunteer at the Salvation Army, said: “We’re always in need of donations to our food bank and at this time of year we are particularly busy as demand increases and people’s finances are stretched with families struggling to put food on the table, pay energy bills and the social pressures of buying Christmas gifts for loved ones.
“We’re always more than willing to step in and offer that much needed support, but we can’t do it without the generous donations that we receive from our local community, which are greatly received as referrals continue to rise and donations take a dip as some people that used to help and donate are finding themselves pushed closer to poverty, a position they never thought they would be in.”
The Salvation Army in Penrith has a Just Giving page available for those wishing to support and donate to the church at www.justgiving.com/penrith-salvation-army and while all donations are welcome people are encouraged to donate only what they can afford.
