AS many as 10,000 vulnerable youngsters will get a warm meal over the festive period thanks to a charity – and you can help them achieve their goal.

Thousands of young people who would otherwise have gone without over the Christmas period will be able to have a free hot dinner thanks to staff and volunteers at Blackburn Youth Zone – as they aim to make sure as many people as possible don’t go hungry.

Young people can visit the centre and receive a free hot meal throughout December. The charity will also give out Christmas food hampers to support the vulnerable families who need it most. 

Now, the community is being urged to get behind the campaign to enable Blackburn Youth Zone to continue its work with the town’s neediest.

Hannah Allen, chief executive of Blackburn Youth Zone, said: “Christmas is supposed to be the most wonderful time of the year, however, it can be a very dark place for some of our vulnerable young people and families. 

“Covid has also presented many challenges and with the unknown of further restrictions around Christmas, we are now seeing the damaging impact on our families across the borough.

“With the help of donations from the local community, this campaign will at least ensure more of our local young people can enjoy the warmth and comfort of a hot meal over the festive period.”

According to a study by the Social Market Foundation, Blackburn and Darwen have the sixth-highest rate of children going hungry in the UK, with more than 8,000 currently facing very low food security.

It makes it one of the most deprived boroughs in the country.

A parent of a junior member said: “We heavily rely on food parcels, and Blackburn Youth Zone has helped us through a very difficult period. We really appreciate everything they do for our family.”

The Youth Zone is now calling on the community to support those more vulnerable than themselves. Donations to the campaign will mean it can purchase enough ingredients to support families this Christmas.

A donation of just £2 will provide one young person with a hot meal or donate £5 for food hamper for a family over Christmas.

Blackburn Youth Zone previously provided 4,000 meals through its Zone to Home campaign held during Easter 2020.

Donations can be made by visiting Go Fund Me and searching for ‘Zone to home this Christmas’ or by emailing melanie.thomas@blackburnyz.org