Leeds United fans praised after giving big-hearted support to Christmas foodbank drive

Leeds Fans Foodbank volunteers and project workers.

United fans attending the club’s home game last Saturday against Queens Park Rangers were asked to bring along goods for two local foodbanks.

And they rose to the challenge magnificently, dropping off the equivalent of 3,000 meals at a collection point outside Elland Road’s East Stand.

That took the total number of meals donated since October’s launch of the Leeds Fans Foodbank scheme past the 5,000 mark.

People have also been chipping in online, contributing more than £1,500 to the cause via a Just Giving page.

Leeds Fans Foodbank is a joint enterprise between the Leeds United Supporters’ Trust and the club in aid of the Leeds North & West and Leeds South & East foodbanks.

A spokeswoman for the Trust said: “We are all overwhelmed at the success of the festive foodbank drive, the whole city got behind us as well as the amazing supporters of Leeds United.

“With some families on Universal Credit not getting any payments before Christmas, the foodbanks will see an increase in demand for emergency food parcels this month, so it’s great to see so many people being united together to help others in their time of need.”

Leeds’s players have been doing their bit as well, clubbing together to pay for a huge haul of food that was dropped off by first-team star Barry Douglas at the Leeds South & East warehouse. Support has also come from Leeds indie rockers Kaiser Chiefs.

Speaking ahead of last Saturday’s collection, United chief executive Angus Kinnear said: “It has been brilliant to see how well the foodbank has been doing at Elland Road, fans and the local community have been really generous with their donations – which we knew they would be.”

To donate to the online fundraising, search for ‘leeds united festive foodbank’ on Just Giving.

The Yorkshire Evening Post is running its own Feed A Family campaign to encourage readers to do their bit to ensure no one in the city goes hungry this Christmas.

Places where donations can be made to the Leeds North & West and Leeds South & East foodbanks include the Tesco stores at Garforth, Roundhay and Bramley and the Asda stores at Holt Park and Owlcotes.