Blackpool steps up on World Hunger Day

Today Blackpool Tower will be lit up to mark World Hunger Day. Around the world, millions of people don’t know where their next meal is coming from and today we’re reminded that hunger remains one of the biggest injustices facing our world.

But this isn’t a distant international crisis. Rising food prices are pushing healthy food out of reach for families, while conflict, climate change and economic instability continue to make the problem worse. Behind every statistic is a person worrying about how they are going to feed themselves or their children.

I was recently proud to support Blackpool’s Big Food Project with a £25,000 donation from my Police and Crime Commissioner Fund. I’ve volunteered with the project for years and I know the difference organisations like this make for people who are struggling. They provide dignity as well as support and for many families they’re a lifeline.

World Hunger Day this year carries the message that the end of hunger is in our hands. Hunger isn’t inevitable – it comes from political choices and years of communities being left behind.

The last Labour government lifted 600,000 children out of poverty but since 2010 child poverty has risen sharply across the country. This government has started taking steps to tackle hunger both here in the UK and internationally.

Through the UK’s aid programme, Britain continues to fund emergency food support, nutrition programmes and humanitarian relief for communities facing famine, conflict and extreme poverty across the world.

At home, we have expanded support through family hubs, free school meals programmes and funding for local councils and community organisations to help families through the cost of living crisis. But we know there’s much more to do. No one should be going hungry and communities need proper support and long-term investment to tackle food poverty.

Where governments have failed in the past, local organisations and local people have stepped up. One local man showing that spirit is Luke Helm who, like me, has supported Blackpool’s Big Food Project for many years.

Many people across Blackpool know Luke through Ron’s Runs, organised in memory of his dad Ron. Ron served in the RAF for 27 years and later spent years coaching young athletes at Stanley Park, helping generations of local kids through sport. Luke originally started the runs to raise money for a memorial bench in his dad’s honour, but they soon became something bigger, raising food and support for local families facing hardship.

Now Luke is taking on an even bigger challenge by running five marathons in five days between 25th and 29th May to raise money for The Big Food Project. Coastal Radio will be following the challenge and Blackpool Tower will be lit up to support the campaign.

I’d encourage local businesses, organisations and residents to get behind Luke if you can by donating here.

I’ll keep pushing for the support and investment Blackpool needs until no one in our town is going hungry.