HALESOWEN and Rowley Regis Rotary Club have teamed up with ASDA to help local families in need.

Rotarians braved the cold this Saturday and collected at Halesowen Asda as part of their annual festive campaign.

The Rotary Club will be donating food and toys to the Black Country Foodbank, which helps vulnerable people and families in crisis with emergency supplies.

On Saturday, December 22, Halesowen residents will have another chance to give between 10.30 and 4pm when volunteers will be joined by Father Christmas at Asda.

Shoppers will be invited to donate toys and food to the Foodbank, or cash to other local Rotary supported children’s charities.

Halesowen and Rowley Regis Rotarian Alan Bowler said: “We are very pleased to help raise awareness for the Black Country Food Bank, especially at Christmas time when many families are struggling to make ends meet and appreciate that bit of extra help.

“ASDA kindly supported the Halesowen Fun Run earlier this year and we are very grateful to them again for allowing us to hold collections in the store, not only for the food bank, but also for our own local children’s charities.”

He added: “Our sleigh collections will continue at B&Q Halesowen and Tesco’s in Cradley Heath and of course the Santa sleigh will carry on its travels around the Halesowen and Rowley Regis area in the run up to Christmas and our thanks must go to all the members of the public for their kind and generous support.”

Wendy Fryatt from Black Country Foodbank was delighted with the promise of help from the Rotarians.

She said: “We would like to say a big thank you to everyone who has supported us over the last year. It is through this help that we have delivered over 75 tonnes of food aid and emergency supplies to local people in need.”

She added: ”Things are getting even tougher and benefit cuts will lead to more vulnerable families, so we are appealing to people to dig even deeper and help make a difference this Christmas.”