The Congleton Food Hub which has delivered over 8,000 snack packs to the community announced that it will close on Friday.

The food hub was originally started by Shaun Radcliffe in early March when the coronavirus pandemic began to have a major impact.

Shaun started helping residents who were self-isolating and vulnerable by delivering food shopping and essential items from his own home.

Such was the demand, Shaun needed other volunteers and a base so that a system could be implemented to ensure those that needed help in the community were looked after.

The food hub was originally situated at Congleton Town Hall before moving to the Vale Club.

In a social media post on behalf of Shaun, he said: "We never thought how big it would get and the last three months have been challenging, but also very rewarding knowing we have helped so many people during this pandemic, not only by running the food hub, but also delivering prescriptions for Boots and Superdrug."

With the help of many generous food and money donations from the Congleton community, over the last 14 weeks, the food hub has raised £2,074.

The team of volunteers has delivered over 8,200 snack packs to those shielding or needing assistance.

The food hub delivered snack packs and Easter Eggs to the:

- Macclesfield Hospital, Congleton, and Macclesfield Ambulance Stations

- Police Station, Fire Station, Schools, Care Homes

- Pharmacies, District Nurses, Funeral Directors

- Special Needs Houses, Garages, Doctors Surgeries

- Mental Health Teams, Community Care, Covid-19 testing laboratory at Alderley Park and any shops that were open

Other groups helped include Plus Dane Housing residents, local authority bungalows, Women's Refuge Nappies and Period Poverty.

The post on behalf of Mr Radcliffe added: "Shaun would not have been able to do this without the help of his volunteers affectionally known as 'the Hubbers' and would like to thank them all for their hard work raising money and packing/delivering bags.

"Thank you to the community for all your help and support without you none of this could have been achieved."

In the social media post, Shaun thanks his fellow "hubbers" and several residents/organisations who donated food and raised money for the food hub.

If you know anyone who still requires help contact Cheshire East Council on 0300 123 5034 or Congleton Town Council has a Community Covid-19 information line which is open from 11am to 7pm seven days a week, Tel 01260 541815.