CHARITIES and community groups in Runcorn and Widnes are being invited to sign up for food donations this Christmas Eve from Aldi.

Following on from the launch of a partnership with community engagement platform Neighbourly, 95% of Aldi stores are now donating surplus food up to five days a week.

Christmas also offers the chance for more charities to benefit from the initiative and Aldi are now looking for charity groups to get in touch for a Christmas Eve donation.

Local groups will be partnered with stores in their areas and then will be able to collect fresh food products that are near the end of their shelf life such as fruit, vegetables, fresh meat, fish and bread after the store closes at 6pm on Christmas Eve.

Managing director of Corporate Responsibility at Aldi UK, Fritz Walleczek said: "Our Christmas food donation scheme is something we're really passionate about and we're working with Neighbourly this year to pair as many stores up as possible.

"Last year we were able to reach thousands of people across the UK, and some charities were even able to prepare fresh meals that fed families well into the New Year.

"This is our third year of Christmas food donations and we’re hoping this year will be just as successful, and we look forward to working with local charities and food banks in Runcorn and Widnes in the future."

All groups that apply must have: a level 2 hygiene certificate gained in the last two years; be a registered charity, CIC or community group; be able to collect, transport and store chilled food products.

Any groups interested can email Neighbourly at aldichristmas@Neighbourly.com before Monday, November 11.

Last Christmas, Aldi donated just under half a million meals to charities across the UK, and is hoping to increase this for Christmas 2019, spreading Christmas cheer to even more families.