PUPILS and parents from a Wirral school have been providing help to local individuals and families through the support of Wirral Foodbank.

The Globe revealed last week that the charity, which first opened its doors in December 2011, helped more than 12,500 people between April 2013 and the end of March 2014.

That figure includes 4,429 children whose families did not have enough money to buy food for the week.

Demand for emergency food has more than doubled in one year across the nation.

Wirral Foodbank provides three days’ nutritionally balanced food and support to each person referred to it by a partner agency.

Wallasey School pupils and their parents and carers decided to do their bit for the organisation and took a variety of products into school to donate to the appeal.

They were joined by Rev Aline Watts from St Chad’s Church, Leasowe, and volunteers from Wirral Foodbank who accepted the donations and spoke about the difference that their generosity would make to local people less fortunate than themselves, living within their community.

On the same day pupils also had a non-school uniform day. Pupils paid 50p to participate, with some of the money raised also being donated to Wirral Foodbank for their bread and spread appeal.

Headteacher Amanda Cawood said: “We are very pleased to support Wirral Foodbank and the excellent work that the charity does in our community.

“The collection was a great success and our pupils were very enthusiastic about supporting such a worthwhile local project. They have shown themselves to be fine young citizens who care about their community. I am very proud of them."

Despite receiving tonnes of food on a weekly basis, Wirral Foodbank still needs the help of local people to fill their shelves.

At present, there is a shortage of biscuits, UHT milk, sugar and tinned fish.

If you can help, you can take your donation to a Foodbank session at St Chad’s Church, Leasowe (Tuesday and Wednesday 11am-2pm every week) or the Vicarage, 70 Castleway North, Leasowe, Wirral CH46 1RW or ring on 0151 677 6889.

Alternatively you can visit the Foodbank warehouse at Unit 14, Wirral Business Centre, Dock Road, Birkenhead, CH41 1JW, or donate food at any One Stop Shop or Wirral library.