Tea for Trussell event raises £450

Oldham East and Saddleworth MP Debbie Abrahams and Oldham Mayor, Councillor Zahid Chauhan, are pictured at the Tea for Trussell event

Saddleworth and Lees Labour Party’s Tea for Trussell event raised £450 to support the campaigning work of the Trussell Trust.

The Trussell Trust is calling on the government to make sure the basic rate of Universal Credit at least covers the cost of life’s essentials, such as food, household bills and travel costs.

This local event was just one of hundreds across the country that together have raised over half a million pounds for the Trussell Trust.

People who came along also donated food which has been dropped off at the Oldham Foodbank.

The Mayor, Councillor Zahid Chauhan, said: “It was great to attend this event in Saddleworth to support the fundraiser for the Trussell Trust.

"Oldham Foodbank is part of a national network of food banks and the food donated will help families in Oldham.”

Oldham East and Saddleworth MP Debbie Abrahams added: “I would like to say huge congratulations to everyone involved in the fantastic Tea for Trussell Trust fundraiser.

"As your MP I will continue to campaign for the Essentials Guarantee, supported by the Trussell Trust and Joseph Rowntree Foundation.

"This ensures that everyone on Universal Credit has adequate funds to fund their essentials, as 90% of those on UC currently don’t.”

Parish Councillor Kathryn Phillips said: “Saddleworth and Lees Labour Party agrees with the Trussell Trust that it is wrong that one in seven of people face hunger due to a lack of money.

"We are really pleased to have raised so much to help the Trussell Trust campaign to end the need for food banks.

"Social security should cover people’s basic needs, but the Trussell Trust knows that most people needing help from a food bank are on Universal Credit.”

Anyone who couldn’t get along to the Satellite centre can donate online here

Saddleworth and Lees Labour Party would like to thank the Satellite Centre for hosting the event and donations from Defiance Distillery in Lees and Scona in Greenfield which helped to raise the money.

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