Workers at several stations on Greater Anglia’s West Anglia route have launched their annual appeal to help local food banks to help people in need of food this winter.

On Monday, 20 October, staff opened donation points at Bishop’s Stortford, Harlow Town, Harlow Mill, Sawbridgeworth, and Stansted Mountfitchet stations. People can donate items at these locations until Sunday 14 December.

The appeal welcomes all donations, but it does have some priority items. The food banks have said that they are particularly in need of tins of fish, meat and vegetables.

They are also keen to receive sponge pudding, crisps, juice, squash and chocolate, along with cereal, soup, pasta, rice, and sweet treats such as biscuits. Tea bags, coffee and long-life UHT milk are also welcome as donations.

Items donated by the public will be collected and sent to food banks in Harlow, Sawbridgeworth and Bishop’s Stortford.

Some donated items will also be given to the community wellbeing project TouchPoint in Stansted Mountfitchet in Essex.

Staff are also holding a raffle to add money to the food donations.

Workers from Essex County Council will also be giving to the scheme. Donations will also come from cleaners employed by contractor Carlisle, who work at several Greater Anglia stations.

Last year, members of the public gave enough food to provide more than 2,000 meals. They also donated other useful items. The total weight of donations was a massive 800kg.

Greater Anglia workers have been running the annual appeal since 2022. In that first year, passengers and staff donated around one thousand meals and 500kg worth of food, toiletries, hot water bottles and blankets to food banks in time for Christmas.

Organiser Michael King does not confine his efforts to the Christmas period. He also runs an annual Easter egg appeal for sick children.

“The local food banks across our area are incredible and make such a difference to those who need them in the towns we serve.

“Every tin or packet donated helps someone in our local towns who might otherwise go without.

“I was staggered to see how much we donated last year, and I cannot wait to see how we do in 2025.”

Michael King, event organiser and Relief Ticket Office Clerk at Sawbridgeworth and Stansted Mountfitchet stations