(photo: me and Deni Ennals, co-chair of Sheffield Foodbank Network)

I would like to say thanks to everyone who donated to my Christmas Appeal and helped me raise thousands of pounds for local foodbanks. Everyone knows that Sheffield is a generous city and this is another example. 

I’d urge everyone to see how they can support their local foodbank, whether by donating money, time or food. It’s a disgrace that we need foodbanks in the world’s fifth wealthiest country, but they offer vital support for rising numbers of families. I’m fighting the Government’s policies that create the problem, but people need our support now.

My Sheffield Foodbanks Christmas Appeal raised, including Gift Aid, over £4,500 for the Sheffield Foodbank Network, which co-ordinates 19 centres across the city tackling food poverty. The result beat my original £1,000 target within days and topped the revised £2,500 target soon after. 

You can find out more about foodbanks in Sheffield here.