Aerospace firm BAE Systems has donated £150,000 to food banks serving over 40 communities.

The company donated £45,000 to five food banks in the North West, including Blackburn Foodbank, Fylde Foodbank, Luv Preston Foodbank and Ribble Valley Foodbank.

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Most donations were made through the Trussell Trust, which supports a nationwide network of food banks, providing emergency food and support to people locked in poverty.

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Luv Preston Founders Jack and Sue McVicar said: “On behalf of Luv Preston, we are thrilled to receive this donation from BAE Systems, whom we partner with regularly.

“The need in our city, even during the pandemic, is always magnified greatly at Christmas. It is a credit to BAE Systems that they want to help serve the disadvantaged and hurting at this time.”

The donation to Blackburn Foodbank is expected to provide around 10,800 meals, which will last for two and a half weeks.

Dave Holmes OBE, Advanced Projects, Technology and Manufacturing Director at BAE Systems Air, said: “Supporting our local communities is incredibly important to our business and our employees.

“Through this donation to local food banks, we’re very proud to be playing a small part in helping those most in need this winter.”

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The Blackburn Foodbank Trustee Board said: “A big thank you to BAE Systems for their generous donation to Blackburn Foodbank.

“It will help us to support people in food crisis over winter. We will also be able to tackle one of the causes of the food crisis with advice from our Benefit and Debt Advisors in our Oaks Money Advice Centre.”

The donations form part of the firm’s community investment programme and its commitment to supporting local communities where its employees live and work.

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In 2020, BAE Systems contributed more than £10m to local, national and international charities and not-for-profit organisations, including charitable sponsorships, donations, employee fundraising and volunteering.

It included helping organisations and initiatives in support of the Covid-19 response.

For more on the Trussell Trust, visit – https://www.trusselltrust.org/what-we-do/

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