A man who said it is madness to have queues for food banks is taking on a huge challenge to help support these lifelines.
Neil Atherton was saddened to see so many people struggling through the cost of living crisis, so much so that he set out on a gruelling challenge in the hopes of making a difference. But with fears for "darker days to come" and the heartbreaking reality it has become "the norm" in Merseyside, Neil says something needs to change.
As the cost of living crisis grips households across the UK, families in Merseyside are really feeling the pinch and are finding themselves struggling more than ever. With more people turning to food banks and huge queues seen outside community shops, Neil, 43, from Widnes, told the ECHO he fears that foodbanks will soon become "the next Aldi".
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He added: "People will just go there for what they need because they can't afford anything. Even people who are working are seeking support because everything has gone up but wages aren't seeing that hike, pensions haven't gone up either so everyone is feeling the pinch.
"It's very quick to blame the government but we are at the point now where we just accept it and that's what I don't understand. Everyone knows where a food bank is and knows people who use them but they just accept it. I walked past one where people were queueing and it was like, wow this is where we're at now, it's madness.
"And it's sad because we are one of the richest countries in the world. Most working cities are hard hit because we are all grafters but I think we suffer more because we will speak out about it, we are fighters and if anyone comes out of this first, we will but there are some dark days ahead."
In just a few weeks, Neil will be completing his biggest challenge yet and will be walking seven bus routes in seven regions in seven days, walking 125miles for the Trussell Trust. He will walk Runcorn, Wakefield, Durham, Wrexham, Telford, Hemel and London in the hopes of fighting against poverty.
He said: "This summer is going to be really hard. My biggest fear is that it's the summer holidays and as a dad, it's heartbreaking to think kids are going hungry and that's when it's going to be at its peak.
"Food is increasing, it was cheaper last week than it is this week and it's just madness. I can't see any change and it's frustrating that nothing is being done. At least with my walks, it may catch more attention.
"It's sad and wrong, people shouldn't be going hungry. I hope to highlight that more. If everyone in Merseyside was to sponsor me £1, we'd have millions. We shouldn't have to, but events like this are the ones to raise money and sadly, this is our future for a few years until something is sorted."
Anyone wishing to donate can do so by clicking here.
Neil was recently awarded the British Empire Medal (BEM) in the New Year Honours. He BEM for services to “public transport and the community in Liverpool and Widnes” during the Covid-19 pandemic, and previously told the ECHO he wasn’t sure “it’s real”.
The honour followed Neil’s efforts to help others, both by fundraising for those affected by economic hardship and by supporting mobile vaccination.
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