A FOODBANK set up in a primary school to support families during the coronavirus pandemic is set to continue.

Shannon Atkinson works as a Higher Level Teaching Assistant and is the Mental Health Lead at Derwent Vale Primary School in Great Clifton.

When the second Covid-19 lockdown was imposed she wanted to help vulnerable children and families in the community as a lot of children would not receive their free school meals during school closures.

After witnessing the struggles of many young families, Shannon decided to set up a food bank single-handedly.

As the country begins to ease its way back to normal and schools have returned, there had been concern the foodbank would close.

However the 27-year-old teaching assistant has pledged to continue.

Shannon says she will keep the foodbank open for as long as it is necessary, for anyone who is still struggling in the aftermath of lockdown restrictions.

“I think it will be here permanently," she said. "Just as long we can and as there is still need for it, which obviously there is.

"It’s not going away and will be here every Friday at the school. I just felt I couldn’t possibly say to everybody that we were going to stop when there’s clearly that demand."

The foodbank feeds about 30 to 40 people each week.

Shannon said: “I have worked with children for many years. I obviously work very closely with a lot of families and it became clear that when lockdown ends there will be a big need out there for support for those families and the children that are struggling in the community.”

Each week Shannon receives donations which she uses to help pay for the food through Fareshare in Cockermouth.