Kind-hearted fundraiser collects garage full of food for two Hartlepool food banks

Chloe Hoggath, 21, of Clavering, collected the mammoth amount of goods which she divided between Hartlepool Foodbank and St Aidan’s Church Kitchen along with cheques for £125 each.

She was overwhelmed with support from friends and colleagues and spent more than two hours buying much-needed products in Asda after raising hundreds of pounds.

IT and business consultancy Waterstons Ltd, in Durham, where Chloe works, and Wynyard Hall where her mum Susan McPhillips works, each agreed to give £250.

She and Susan also raised £420 in sponsorship for giving up food for a day.

Chloe said: “I do it every year. It started as a reverse advent calendar where I would put something in every day.

“This year it just seems to have blown up.”

Chloe had to make multiple trips to carry all the food and toiletries home from the supermarket which has now been presented to the two good causes.

St Aidan’s Church runs the weekly community kitchen every Thursday lunchtime and was open for a busy Christmas Day.

And Hartlepool Foodbank, based in Church Street, provides food, toiletries and debt help to hundreds of people and children throughout the year.

Chloe, who also supports children through Changing Futures North East, added: “I’ve always been so lucky but there’s people queuing for basic necessities.

“Everyone’s been so kind and generous. When I was sorting it all out I started crying.”