RUNCORN’S two senior football clubs are teaming up to ask fans at their Easter Monday derby match to support Runcorn Foodbank.

Runcorn Linnets play rivals Runcorn Town in the north west counties league premier division at 3pm on Bank Holiday Monday, April 21.

Spectators are invited to donate groceries to Runcorn families in need.

Derek Greenwood, chairman of Runcorn Linnets, said: “As a community club and not-for-profit organisation, which is part of the co-operative movement, we try whenever possible to help good causes in our area.

“At times such as Easter we are perhaps even more mindful of those who for whatever reason are in need of help and cannot afford food on the table for their families.

“Runcorn Foodbank is an excellent and successful initiative and I am sure that Linnets fans, and those of our neighbours, will generously support the collection at the derby match Runcorn Foodbank is run by The Trussell Trust in conjunction with Runcorn Churches Together, led by Hope Corner Community Church in Church Street, Runcorn.

Since launching in November 2012 and thanks to volunteer staff and public generosity, it has provided more than 3,000 crisis-hit people in the town with emergency food.

Many of those it has helped are children and vulnerable adults.

Demand for its services have risen by 170 per cent.

Rebekah Tunningley, project manager for Runcorn Foodbank, said: “Rising costs of food and fuel combined with static income, high unemployment and changes to benefits are causing more and more people to come to foodbanks for help.”

Linda Young, secretary of Runcorn Town, expressed full support for what she thought was an excellent idea to support those in need.

Tony Waddington, former Linnets club secretary and trust board member, suggested the idea and will be co-ordinating the collection of food at the match.

A donation point is being set up inside The Millbank Linnets Stadium in Murdishaw Avenue, Runcorn in an area between the clubhouse and pitch.

Items people can donate include milk, sugar, fruit juice (cordial), soup, pasta sauces, cereals, tinned rice pudding, tea bags/instant coffee, instant mash, rice/pasta, tinned meat/fish, tinned vegetables, tinned fruit, jam and biscuits/snackbars. Particularly needed are tinned tomatoes and tinned sponge puddings.