Community group receives welcome donation from fundraising duo

(L-R) Mary Adekugbe, of the Nigeria Community Association, Morrisons Rochdale Community Champion Emma Pedgrift, and Councillor Faisal Rana

Fundraising duo Councillor Faisal Rana and Morrisons Rochdale community champion Emma Pedgrift have teamed up to help a local community group.

The pair handed over parcels of food and a donation to the Nigeria Community Association's foodbank based in Rochdale.

Founded by Mary Adekugbe, the local group runs the much-needed foodbank to support the growing African community and others in need from its base at Newstead on Lower Falinge.

Morrisons Rochdale community champion Emma said: "Supporting our community is key here at Morrisons. Our customers are very generous and have donated several tonnes of goods to help local families and lots of voluntary groups. The store is keen to do even more and reach out to all parts of the local community.

“Councillor Rana contacted us to say the Nigeria Community Association were in desperate need of donations, so we supported Mary and their foodbank with grocery bags, together with a donation from the store."

Councillor Rana said: "Mary's energy and enthusiasm is breath-taking. She and her team of volunteers do so much to help not only the African community here in Rochdale, but also the wider community too. They work really hard to support people in need and they also help build good relations between the diverse groups all around Rochdale.

“I'm really pleased some of the food collections at Morrisons have gone to such a good cause."

Mary, of the Nigeria Community Association said: "We are a small voluntary group which aims to support our local community and also to promote cultural activities. I want to say a massive thank you to Cllr Faisal Rana and Morrisons in Rochdale who donated to African Food Bank Rochdale. We’ll be using all foods donated to help those most in need. We’re incredibly grateful for their support."

The foodbank is housed at the Association's community centre at 238 Newstead House, Lower Falinge Community Base, Rochdale, OL12 6RQ.

If you can help with donations of African and other foods, please call 07456 136 150 to arrange drop off at the centre.