A FOODBANK has thanked generous young Muslims for helping local people in crisis this Ramadhan.

Half a tonne of food and toiletries have been donated to Colchester Foodbank by the Muslim community and young people at the Colchester Islamic Community Centre.

Members had started a Youth Circle’s Ramadhan Foodbank Collection, and has just delivered the food and cash to staff at the Moorside Business Park site.

Michael Beckett, Colchester Foodbank leader, said: "The charity is very grateful for the generous donation of 488kg of food and toiletries and £55 from Colchester Islamic Community Centre.

"A massive well done to the Youth Circle for leading what is simply a brilliant collection.

“Colchester is having Universal Credit full roll out and recent statistical evidence from the Trussell Trust projects an average 52 per cent rise in demand for the Foodbank in the forthcoming year, so the timing of these gifts of food and money is perfect.

“Our community is fantastic in supporting our work to help local people facing hunger.

"We know that without your help, there would have been families who would have struggled to put food on the table. Thank you so much for your kindness.”

The Colchester Islamic Community Centre runs a monthly Youth Circle for local Muslim girls.

The group visited the foodbank to help and find out how it operates and then went on to collect donations from their families, friends, neighbours and communities.

Dr Sohail Choksy, CICC Chairperson, said “We want to create an inclusive community, provide much needed services and build solidarity.

"We hope to achieve a sense of being and compassion within our diverse Muslim community.

"We aim to serve the whole community in Colchester, thereby breaking down barriers, building bridges and improving cohesion through interfaith work and partnerships with other charities and organisations.”

The foodbank is always grateful for donations - they currently need lifelong juice cartons, carrier bags, longlife milk, washing powder and washing up liquid.