A train driver led a festive food, gift and toiletry drive at Selhurst and Norwood depots to support two local food banks.

Laura McDonald, helped by Selhurst area Operations Manager Simon Bott, gathered three weeks worth of supplies, handing them to Purley Food Hub and to Croydon Community Food Bank last week.

Laura said: “I just hate the thought of people going hungry at this time of year.

“Food banks are really struggling because of the amount of people using them. We have 301 drivers at these depots and this is a lovely opportunity to give back to our local community.

“Some people have donated money instead which is great – I collected nearly £100 in the first five days! That also meant I got to go to shopping myself so could make sure I picked up the most-needed items.”.

Steve Hunt, Administrator at Purley Food Hub, said: “Sadly we have never been busier at Purley Food Hub than we are now, so we are most grateful to Laura and her driver colleagues for collecting food for us.

“The donations will put a smile on the faces of people caught up in crisis this Christmas time.”

Since opening in 2013, the independent food bank has provided 130,500 meals and helped more than 14,500 people in crisis.

Run by volunteers from Purley & Kenley Churches and the local community, the food bank has seen a 41% increase in service users in 2018, made up of referrals from job centres, Croydon council, hostels, refuges, nurseries and children’s centres.

Fatima Koroma, Project Manager at Croydon Community Food Bank, said: “For people in a crisis there has always been a need for our service. We have been here through a recession and austerity measures, providing packages of food and other items. We rely on the community to support us to support others and are appreciative of all donations.”

The Croydon Community Food Bank provides support and relief to people in crisis. The organisation is hosting its sixth Christmas event this year, helping to tackle social isolation at Christmas time and ensure that some of the poorest in the local community get access to support and gifts at Christmas.