WIRRAL Foodbank's vital work has been boosted by a donation of more than £3,000 from a local women's group.

West Kirby Women’s Institute had raised a total of £3,697 for the charity through a series of events and donations at their monthly members’ meetings.

Most of the money was raised through a sold-out Ceilidh event in February, but the total was boosted through book sales, and cake and refreshment donations at meetings.

At the group’s meeting on Thursday (September 14), the cheque was presented to Paul Franklin, Trustee of Wirral Foodbank, by Gwenne McFadzean, West Kirby WI Secretary and Treasurer Carla Hardman.

Paul Franklin said: "We’re very grateful to receive this donation from West Kirby WI. Donations such as this help us to do our vital work across Wirral."

The Ceilidh, at Westbourne Hall in West Kirby, had sold 300 tickets and included bookings from groups across Wirral and some as far as Brighton.

The evening had music from Wirral-based ceilidh band Shave the Donkey, with lighting by Adlib, and included a three-course meal.

Pippa Lea, president of West Kirby Women's Institute, said: "Each year our members select a local charity to support, and we were blown away by the success of the Ceilidh, which is no mean feat to organise.

"Our volunteer fundraising subgroup who planned the event worked so hard, especially in the weeks and days leading up to the Ceilidh, and then our members also helped with selling tickets, serving food and dressing the venue.

"It was a great evening but most of all we were delighted to be able to support Wirral Foodbank, a vital charity which sadly needs funds now more than ever.”

Wirral Foodbank is a local charity providing emergency food to local people in crisis since November 2011.

It is part of the Trussell Trust’s network of 428 foodbanks, working to tackle food poverty and hunger in our local communities, as well as across the UK.In 2022/23, food banks in the Trussell Trust’s network provided 2,986,203 three-day emergency food supplies and support to UK people in crisis. Of these, 1,139,553 were distributed for children.