MIDDLEWICH Round Table has been overwhelmed by the support from the community for their charity food collection.

Life-sized Mickey and Minnie Mouse characters were ferried round the streets of the town on colourful sleigh to pick up donations for Winsford Salvation Army.

Farmers who supply the charity's Santa sleigh every Christmas kindly gave up their time and tractors to support the collection.

Josh Hicks, from Middlewich Round Table, said: "It was heartwarming to see how many people came out to support us.

"This whole pandemic has really brought people together and shown how generous and kind people can be.

"A massive thank you to everyone from us.  The support was unbelievable, as usual from Middlewich."

So much food was collected, the Round Table has decided to share the donations with Mid Cheshire Foodbank.

"Both charities are supporting people who are finding times harder than ever during this pandemic," said Josh. "We have collected so much food we thought it would be a good idea to share it with the foodbank."

Volunteers were amazed by the response they received as they travelled round the streets of Middlewich from 10am to 4pm on Friday and Saturday.

Children waved and cheered as the colourful Disney characters drove past their homes.

Youngsters had been asked to draw pictures of rainbows and flags to decorate the sleigh as it took off on VE Day.

Residents were asked to leave out tins of fruit, soup and vegetables, pasta, rice, cereals and any non perishable food in plastic bags on their driveways or paths.

Northwich Guardian:

Mickey and Minnie Mouse characters with Middlewich Round Table volunteers Adam Jump, Antony Lovatt and Jack Roberts

Volunteers, observing social distancing, picked up all the donations.

"It was unbelievable," said Josh. "People loved it. They were coming out and giving us a wave. I think it cheered people up a bit.

"We received an unbelievable amount of food, at least triple what we were expecting. It was absolutely unbelievable.

"After just 40 minutes we had to call someone to bring a car to empty the trailer. We had to do that pretty much every hour."

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An enthusiastic team of 14 volunteers worked on a rota to collect the food.

"We will now help the Salvation Army to sort out all the donations," said Josh."It will be a mammoth task but this food will be greatly appreciated."

Middlewich Round Table would like to thank Moretons contractors, Steve Gleave and Duncan Fitz-Gibbons for providing farm tractors and trailers.