The Speaker of Hackney, Kam Adams has launched a 5km fundraiser walk to support the borough’s foodbanks, which have been under pressure during the pandemic.

The 5km walk, organised by Adams in collaboration with Hackney Foodbanks group, will take place virtually between May 10 and 17 with participants taking part in their homes or in an area of the borough, such as parks.

A Hackney Council spokesperson told ELL: “Demand on Hackney Foodbank has increased from 8,106 people given help in 2019, to over 19,400 people in 2020, so they need our support now more than ever.”

The spokesperson added: “The walk is a virtual event residents will take, while adhering to Government guidelines. As individuals or households, or in an area of Hackney of their choice.”

The aim is to raise £10,000, with over £840 having already been raised.

“Last year we fed over 8,300 people,” the Hackney Foodbank Wrote on their GoFundMe page for the event. “In comparison, this year we have already fed over 13,300.”

Hackney Foodbank has kept its centres open throughout the lockdown, having had to adapt their services to an ‘at-the-door’ method to keep visitors safe.

“Hackney Foodbank has been providing incredible support for local people in crisis,” said Adams in a statement. “The team’s dedication to helping people has been especially crucial during the pandemic, with volunteers having to adapt and cope with high levels of demand.”

“Please join me in taking on this 5km challenge in a location in Hackney of your choice,” Adams added. “Although not together physically, we can still collectively make a difference by raising as much money as possible for Hackney Foodbank so that no one in our community has to go hungry during these challenging times.”

You can donate to Hackney Foodbank and support the walk here.