NUFC Fans Foodbank are thrilled fans are back at games - as demand for services gets even higher

Newcastle United's fan foodbank say it's amazing to see the stands of St James' Park full of fans again - and their donation bins full too Demand for help from the West End Foodbank has risen dramatically over the past year

Author: Ellie KumarPublished 20th May 2021

Newcastle United's fan foodbank say it's amazing to see the stands of St James' Park full of fans again - and their donation bins full too.

The NUFC Fan Foodbank group were back in their usual spot outside the grounds last night - as 10 000 supporters were allowed in to watch the match against Sheffield United.

It was the first time fans have been allowed back inside the stands since before lockdown started, over a year ago.

Volunteers from the charity - which supports the Newcastle West End foodbank - were collecting donations ahead of last night's game.

Bill Corcoran from the group tells us just how much people in the city rely on the support the foodbank gives:

"Demand's up 61% - we're now feeding 51 000 people, and that was the figures from April '20 to April '21 - including 20 000 children.

"That's 61 % up on last year.

"A lot of that is because of the pandemic and people couldn't get zero hours contracts or lost their jobs.

"There's 20 000 kids getting fed there because of the generosity of the people, which hasn't stopped despite the pandemic

"We've still been getting donations online which really helped, and today's just the icing on the cake."

Head to the NUFC Fans Foodbank on Twitter to find out more.