An aerospace engineering company has donated £160,000 to help food banks across the country provide food for families in need this winter.

BAE Systems has donated the money has been donated to the Trussell Trust and to food banks in the company’s local communities, including Lancashire, Kent, Cumbria, Hampshire, Monmouthshire and Glasgow.

In Lancashire, around £41,400 has been donated to fund emergency food parcels and cover operational costs so goods can be safely stored, sorted and distributed.

Diane Steer, from the Ribble Valley Foodbank, said: “Foodbank volunteers are working tirelessly to ensure help continues to be available.

“The support of BAE and their staff will help the foodbank volunteers to provide a lifeline of support for local families in crisis, while we work in the long-term to build a hunger-free future.

Lancashire Telegraph: BAE systems in SamlesburyBAE systems in Samlesbury (Image: BAE)

Foodbanks often rely on the help of volunteers in the community to distribute donations and a number of BAE Systems employees play an active part.

Sarah, who works in BAE Systems’ Digital Intelligence business, also volunteers at her local foodbank.

She said: “We meet people at the foodbank who are in work, between jobs and caring for people. Everyone is always so grateful for the food, the generosity and for what we’re able to provide. People can get emotional when they see the food parcel we’ve packed up for them and it’s so rewarding to see the difference we’re able to make.”

The donations are one part of BAE Systems’ community investment work, which focuses on providing support in three key areas of local communities, education and the armed forces.

In 2021, BAE Systems contributed more than £11m to organisations across the world through charitable sponsorships, donations, employee fundraising and volunteering.