A team of young footballers have been peddling for pounds to help Worcester Foodbank show hunger the red card this winter.
Eleven youngsters from Nunnery Wood Colts Under 10s side raised £275 for the charity after racing past their goal of cycling and scootering 1,000 miles throughout November.
The club pledged to donate 25p for every mile their players clocked up during school runs and marathon weekend rides – with the team overcoming punctures, bad weather and fatigue to beat their target by 100 miles.
Rich Barry, co-manager of the Colts, said: “The lads dug very deep to complete the challenge and it was great fun to see pictures of the boys out and about covering distances from one to 30 miles. We’re delighted to have raised so much money for such a great cause and we’re grateful to the parents of the boys who have supported them all the way.”
The cash boost will help foodbank pay for essential meals this winter in the face of growing demand for food as the financial fallout from Covid-19 continues to push more people into crisis.
Last month the charity fed more than 900 people – including 370 children – making it the busiest November since foodbank opened its doors in June 2012.
But the charity has been buoyed by a generous wave of donations from the local community which means its warehouse remains well-stocked despite recent demand for food running about 40 per cent higher than at the same time last year.
The players who took on the challenge included:
Diego Hardie 9
Danny Willmore 9
Charlie Jackman 9
Sam Worley 9
Reuben Ginever 10
Harry Meyrick 10
Ethan Barry 9
Ben Wilson 10
Edward Farmer 9
Jenson Rimell 9
William Quinn 9
Rafa Hardie – Diego’s seven-year-old brother – also joined in with the challenge.