Food volunteers know they can bank on the support of United

NEWCASTLE United have been praised for offering a platform for the NUFC Fans Foodbank to promote itself in front of a global audience.

During the Covid-19 crisis, the club have been replaying United matches on YouTube featuring an advert for the Foodbank at half-time - but have now gone one better.

When United play Sheffield United tomorrow in front of an empty house, the NUFC Fans Foodbank will see banners with their donation details placed around the stadium – to be picked up by the TV cameras.

Foodbank volunteer Bill Corcoran said: “We are really grateful the people working at Newcastle have shown our foodbank advert at halftimes on their Saturday YouTube matches and hearing they will give us an advert at St James’ Park during televised matches is more amazing news.

“We hope for a city and a country which does not need the obscenity of foodbanks but, while we do, it is great to see a united approach to defeating hunger in our community.

“We thank Lee Marshall and all at Newcastle and hope the players understand the warmth and unity of our support as they play for us all.

“Even though we are not there, we are kicking every ball. They may not hear the roar when they score but it will be heard in all the front rooms all around the region.

“One day we will be back at St James thanking everyone who has helped and how they continue to show how the best fans in world football leave no one behind in our communities.”

The West End Foodbank has seen the number of people it is helping each week increase from 800 to 1,300.