SIX mosques in Nelson have joined together to launch a new campaign to help families who are struggling to feed their children.

The Feeding Pendle and Beyond project has seen the mosques each allocate specific deposit days when non-perishable foodstuffs can be brought to the premises.

In addition, four public deposit points have also been assigned at various addresses in the town.

The food is then gathered together by volunteers from Inspiring Grace, a local, non-profit, community action group, and transported en-masse to already established food banks at St Phillips Church, Christ Church and the Salvation Army. Tahir Anwar, project leader, said: “When we at Inspiring Grace were made aware of the scope of the problem we did not hesitate to lend a hand.

“This issue supersedes all divisions and prejudices. Our aim is simply to serve others by supporting the established causes, and reaching out in compassion and generosity to those in need.”

The mosques involved in the project are Ghausia Mosque, Minhaj ul-Qur’an Mosque, Muhammadi Mosque, al-Hira Mosque, Talim ul-Qur’an Mosque and Madina Mosque.

The first food-drop of the project took place on Monday July 16 with over 1,400 food items donated by local people.

Mr Anwar said: “The Feeding Pendle and Beyond project has had an amazing response from the public, but we must keep in mind that this problem is not something that is going to disappear in the space of a fortnight, and we encourage everyone to continue giving generously.”

For more information on deposit points call 07794 700024.