STUDENTS from across the Redcar and Cleveland area dug deep to donate hundreds of food items and almost £3,000 for their area’s much-needed food bank.

All of the borough’s secondary schools joined together with Redcar and Cleveland College and Guisborough’s Prior Pursglove College in the fundraising day.

A vast array of food items was brought in to help those in need, and fundraising events were organised to raise cash for the upkeep of the food bank van.

Items such as pasta, rice, tinned goods and cereal were given, culminating in more than 202kg of food being collected – the equivalent of about 14 food hampers – along with £2,913 being raised.

Ruth Fox, manager of Redcar Area Food Bank, said she had been overwhelmed by the support.

“When the schools and colleges told me they wanted to help, I never thought for a minute that it would lead to the number of donations that we received,” she said.

“We are especially grateful for the cash donations as they will help to run our delivery van, but the food is much-needed too.”

Eve Robinson, 11, of Sacred Heart School, visited the distribution centre and was shocked at its size.

She said: “I thought getting the schools involved in the food bank was a great idea because it has taught us that some people in our area need help with basic living.”

Alex Conway, 19, of Redcar and Cleveland College, said: “There seems to be everything that you can think of in the food bank.

"It’s incredibly well organised, so we can see that a lot of time and effort goes into making it a success.”