PICKERING Town Youth Council has helped organise a challenge to boost stocks at Ryedale Foodbank.

Members of the council set up an inter house competition at Lady Lumley’s School to collect as many items as possible.

With help from Trail Blazers in Pickering, who printed all the advertising posters, 337 items of food, household cleaners and toiletries were collected. The winning house was Feversham with 137 items.

Youth council member Ellen Jeffreys said: “We wanted to do something for the community and didn’t realise how many young people in Ryedale are supported by the food bank.”

Ryedale Foodbank is based in Malton and opened a foodbank in Pickering in 2013.

John Mackenzie, Pickering Foodbank manager, said: “I was delighted to have had the opportunity to speak to the Pickering Town Youth Council, and the donations from Lady Lumley’s pupils will make a significant difference to the stock levels of the food bank.” Foodbank staff are entirely dependent on donations of food to carry on their work. I am extremely grateful for the brilliant effort by these young people and the way they have raised people’s awareness for the need to support the venture.”

Mayor of Pickering Joan Lovejoy, said: “I am most impressed and pleased, as is the Town Council, in the efforts of the Youth Council in supporting this very deserving cause. The youth council is affiliated to the town council and this project demonstrates the synergy between the two.”