A FOODBANK struggling with rising demand has asked for help from a charity.

Ros Duerden, operation manager at Blackburn Foodbank, contacted Al-Imdaad Foundation UK as the stock levels were running low.

This is after a year which has seen foodbank recipients increase to over 10,000, up from 8,200 the previous year. The foodbank provides 7,500 tonnes of food a month to locals in need and the numbers are only increasing.

Now Blackburn-based Al-Imdaad Foundation UK along with Jaame Masjid Islamic Cultural Centre and Masjid Anisul Islam have planned another collection for the foodbank.

Over 20 organisations and mosques have joined hands to drive forward an appeal for food donations.

The groups did the first joint collection in December last year and it saw them collect 5,000kg of food, and provided in the region of 11,000 meals.

Now the groups of Blackburn have come together once more to not only raise awareness but to help as many families as possible.

Items needed include tinned tuna, fruit, custard, carrots and sweetcorn and long grain rice.

The organisations and mosques that have taken part are: AHF FC, Masjid-e-Bilal, Inter Madressah Organisation, Abu Hanifah Foundation, Masjid e Noorul Islam, Masjid e Sajedeen, Masjid Saliheen, Stepping Stones Charity, Bayt Muhammad, Masjid-e-Anwar, Islamiyah School, Masjid Anisul Islam, Masjid-e-Rizwan, Olive Academy, Lancashire Council of Mosques, Masjid-Al-Momineen, Masjid Al-Hidayah, Little Discoverers Nursery, Al-Khair Foundation and Ummah Welfare Trust.

Anyone is welcome to take part in the collection.

The food collection will take place on Saturday, June 1, from 1pm to 4pm at the Masjid Anisul Islam, Troy Street, Blackburn.