A Northumbrian Water worker has stepped up to the plate to fundraise and collect hundreds of items of food supplies to help prevent local families from going hungry.
County Durham born, Dale Cullen, who is in his second year of a sponsored placement working within the company's corporate communications team, decided he wanted to do his bit to support food poverty in the North East.
The North East water worker decided to start an appeal for support and has collected endless bags of food items with the help of his family, friends, colleagues, and employer.
So far, over 250 items of food have been donated to help feed hungry youngsters, which will be shared out to the Trussel Trust in Chester-le-Street, Ouston Community Centre, and Vinnie's Café in Newcastle.
Dale said: "It broke my heart hearing that children could potentially go hungry, so I wanted to do my bit to support local families that were in need of a helping hand.
"We all need a little help from time-to-time and the thought of it being either my niece or nephew that had an empty stomach, spurred me on even more.
"The support from everyone has just been overwhelming and with Christmas just around the corner, I'm now raising money to help support local charities for the festive period."
Northumbrian Water is supporting the fundraising efforts through the company's Cheque It Out employee funding and is donating £250 towards supporting the three local foodbanks.
Rebecca Stevenson-Read, who is a Centre Co-ordinator at St Vincent's Newcastle, which helps to run Vinnie's Café, said: "We're delighted and grateful for this donation, which will make all the difference to the families we support across the North East.
"We've seen a significant increase in referrals for support and it's with the kind generosity of people that helps us to get more of the basic essentials to anyone in need.
"With Christmas less than a few months away, we've set up a JustGiving page as we want to be able to provide as many food hampers to those struggling and to help make the festive period enjoyable for as many people as possible."
For more information on how Northumbrian Water supports its local communities, visit: www.nwg.co.uk/responsibility/community