The South Shields slimmers who have donated dozens of items to help the hungry this Christmas

Throughout December members of the Slimmers 4 All group, based at St Bede’s Church Hall, have been collecting items for the Key 2 Life food bank in South Shields.

Every week members of the group, which meets on Thursday and Fridays, brought in items including food, toiletries, sanitary products, dog food and tin openers, to go to those who are struggling.

The donations were dropped off at the food bank on Boldon Lane on Friday, December 20.

“Donating to the food bank is something me and my husband do every year. We’ll always buy some extra groceries, and I just happened to mention to it my members who loved the idea of doing it as a group,” said Julie Ridley who launched Slimmers 4 All in October.

After dropping an incredible 13st and 10 dress sizes in 19 months, Julie said she wanted to help others shed the pounds by setting up her own support group, which now has around 35 members.

“We got so many donations and we are so proud of our collection,” she continued.

“It’s just about helping the community. I don’t think people realise that there are families which are really struggling and parents will go without to provide a Christmas for their children.”

The volunteer-run Key 2 Life, which merged with Bread of Life food bank last year, serves families across South Tyneside, five days a week, helping around 5,000 people each year.

Last year they reported a 29 percent rise in demand, particularly among what they have described as the “working poor”.

“We’d like to say a big thank you to the group, because having these donations means that we are secure in the knowledge that we have enough food for those who need to use our service,” said Key 2 Life manager, Jo Benham-Brown.

“At this time of year these donations are especially important because it means we can give people extra Christmas treats.”