Heywood and Middleton foodbanks receive £786 each

Chris Furlong gives a cheque to Carl Roach, of Middleton Foodbank in the Lighthouse Project

Two cheques for £786 have been donated to the Heywood and Middleton foodbanks by volunteer and chair of the Back O’th Moss community centre, Chris Furlong.

Chris – who volunteers for several local causes including Army of Kindness – presented the cheques to the two foodbanks on 26 and 27 May.

Chris, who has been chosen as one of the bearers for the Queen’s Baton Relay ahead of the Birmingham Commonwealth Games later this year, raised the funds through four half-marathons in Heaton Park, Cheshire, Aintree and Leeds.

The former Middleton councillor said: “On behalf of both Heywood and Middleton Central Foodbanks, a huge thanks to all those who sponsored me. This money is much needed by the food banks and our community’s generosity never ceases to amaze me.”

Carl Roach, of the Lighthouse Project, where Middleton central foodbank is located, said: "We really appreciate the donation that Chris's marathon runs have raised for Middleton central foodbank.

"This is the third time that Chris has raised funds for ourselves and Heywood foodbank by running marathons, he has been a long-term supporter of our work. The funds will help us to buy food supplies so we can continue to give families a full range of items when they visit us for help.

"In this current season more and more families are finding themselves struggling to provide food amongst all the other household expenses they have to meet."

Mark Thompson, of the Saint Vincent De Paul Society which runs the Heywood Foodbank, said: "The generous donation from Chris is much appreciated and will help with rising food costs and our move to new accommodation at Heywood Baptist Church."