VOLUNTEERS have been packing up lunchboxes to ensure no child goes hungry this summer.

In the first week of the four-week scheme, the group has distributed 7,000 lunchboxes so far via children's centres in Blackburn with Darwen, with more being prepared each day.

The summer lunchbox scheme was organised by Kat Zaman, of charity Kingdom Outreach, which started the project last year, when they gave away 17,000 packed lunches.

Kat said: “Holiday hunger is a problem in Blackburn with Darwen. Children who usually get free school meals don’t have that option in the summer.

“This is accessible for all children, it’s about feeding those children who may not get anything else at home or whose parents are struggling.”

The scheme is also an opportunity for children at the centre to get involved with activities before collecting their lunch.

Miss Zaman said: “The scheme also helps get kids out and doing things at the children’s centre. We have a lot of people helping out also, even refugees.”

Volunteers arrive at Wesley Hall in the morning to prepare the meals, before distributing them to the centres in a van provided by Intack self-drive.

They also deliver the lunchboxes to Blackburn Youth Zone.

Included in the packed lunches are, crisps, raisins, juice or water, and a sandwich of their choice.

The group are hoping to repeat last year’s success and hand out more lunchboxes until the end of the summer break.