Saddleworth Neighbourhood Policing Team sets up foodbank collections

Neighbourhood officers in Oldham have been helping their local community by making foodbank collections.

Led by Sergeant Craig Dickinson, from the Saddleworth Neighbourhood Policing Team, a collection box has been placed at various locations and the produce taken to Oldham Foodbank.

Sgt Dickinson plans to move the collection boxes around his area and is encouraging a little friendly competition to increase donations.

He said: “The police sometimes get negative publicity so I wanted to show we have a heart and do care.

“We do an annual Christmas toy appeal and donate the items to social services and refuges.

“But I wanted to do something else for the community as that’s an important part of our role, so I approached the council for some donation boxes.

“A lot of people are struggling at the moment so we have put the collection box at a number of locations, including Uppermill Police Station and Lees Service Station, and then take the contents to the foodbank.

“The plan is to move the box every couple of weeks and see which community can donate the most.”

Sgt Dickinson is asking for donations of for non-perishable goods and will take them to Oldham Foodbank every couple of weeks.

Tom Lewis Hood, from Oldham Foodbank, said: “Thank you very much to the Saddleworth Neighbourhood Policing Team for setting up collection for us at the Oldham Foodbank.

"These donations mean that we can continue to help large numbers of people around Oldham, and provide those in need with emergency food parcels to support them during crisis.

"We really appreciate the team for supporting the most vulnerable in our community."