Food and supplies worth £12,000 is now being distributed to vulnerable residents by Age UK Barnsley thanks to the fundraising efforts of Barnsley Council staff and the local GMB Union branch. 

Each year managers within the Environment and Transport Business Unit traditionally buy a pork pie or similar snack for staff.

However, due to COVID-19 and many staff working from home, they decided to start a fundraising campaign instead to benefit those left even more vulnerable by the pandemic.

Bolstered by colleagues and the GMB Union they collected £2,520, and by working with the HIS Church charity the donation was converted into six pallets of food relief worth £12,000.

Ann Gallagher, Branch Secretary of GMB Union's Barnsley Branch, said:

“Each year our branch donates to a local food charity. This year, we decided to join forces with the team in Environment & Transport at Barnsley MBC. 

“We donated £2,000, to help make up the £12,000 which went to Age UK who used the money to purchase pallets of food. 

“We know Age UK Barnsley will work tirelessly to make sure it gets to where it’s needed.”