University staff and students are doing their bit to support struggling communities threatened by coronavirus.

Those at the University of Cumbria's Ambleside campus are throwing a lifeline to those who need it most, providing "critical support" to the North Lakes Foodbank.

Campus director, Professor Lois Mansfield, said there is a big need to pull together during this difficult time, explaining: “We are determined to do our bit and are particularly grateful to Melvyn Bragg, who agreed to donate his fee from a recent talk to North Lakes Foodbank, which has fed over 6,200 people in the last year.

“Our students have also helped distribute leaflets across Ambleside offering to help with groceries, prescriptions, welfare phone calls, or whatever else might be needed as people become more isolated in their homes."

She added: "We have always been made to feel very welcome and part of the community and this is our chance to give something back in such difficult times. We have been working with Ambleside Parish Centre to do what we can.”

Project manager for North Lakes Foodbank, Adrian Cozens, is delighted with the support from Ambleside campus in helping feed some the county’s most vulnerable communities.

He said: “It’s always humbling when anyone thinks about foodbanks and we are grateful too to Lord Bragg who always remembers his roots and local people. This £300 donation is a huge help.

“Over a third of those we have helped in the last 12 months have been children; as we see an increase in demand there is a reduction in donations.

“Operating in Allerdale and Copeland, North Cumbria is heavily dependent on hospitality and tourism, a sector now in a really difficult time, and we expect to see people from this and other sectors who have never needed our service before.

“Quite simply, if people don’t donate, we can’t support those who need us and are extremely vulnerable.

"We’re in our eleventh year, an example of communities helping each other. We’ve shown our resilience through floods, foot and mouth and now need to do it again.”

For more details, call the Ambleside Parish Centre on 015394 34172, or email admin@amblesidepc.org.uk