Leading aerospace, defence and security firm BAE Systems has donated £26,000 to support local food banks across the county.

The firm, which has a base in Rochester, is donating £140,000 nationwide to food banks in 45 locations.

Some £5,000 of that has been ear-marked for the county, with that figure swollen by a further £21,000 from the electronic systems site in Medway.

The total £26,000 donation will bot to the Trussell Trust Medway Food Bank and the Fareshare Kent & Family Food Bank, which will help to provide essential food and support to people in crisis.

Dave Banks, Rochester business centre director at BAE Systems, said: “Current restrictions mean that our employees have not been able to come together for Christmas celebrations, so they wanted to find ways in which we could support our local community instead. The suggestion of donating to local food banks was made and we thought it was a great idea.

“I’m extremely proud of all our staff at Rochester and the fundraising work that they’ve taken part in across the year. This donation is a fitting way for us to close out 2020 and we hope the gesture goes a long way to helping those most in need at this time of year.”

Project manager for the Trussell Trust Medway Food Bank, Lorraine Schulze, said: “This year we have fed 11,000 people in Medway, a huge increase on previous years, with many people calling us who have never used a food bank before.

"In order to meet the demand we are having to rent a larger, more expensive warehouse. This donation will significantly help the people of Medway, so thank you BAE Systems for supporting the local community this Christmas, after such a difficult year.”

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