A FOODBANK has developed a unique idea to give families a summer school holiday to remember.

Glasgow North West foodbank is running a Donate A Day scheme, asking generous donors to gift experiences families might not otherwise afford.

The brainchild of project manager Gill McCormick, Donate A Day aims to stop children missing out on treats their classmates take for granted.

Gill said: "This forms part of our wider school holiday programme.

"I came up with the idea because we have a lot of families in poverty who can't afford to take part in days out that other families wouldn't think twice about doing.

"It can be really hard for children going back after the summer holidays because everyone has a story about what they did during the holidays.

"Our children have to avoid the question because they didn't go out to the cinema or on any trips like that."

As told in the Evening Times in June, more than 2000 families will rely on foodbanks during the summer.

Glasgow North West, part of the Trussell Trust, has set up a children's holiday club to give parents support.

The club opened last Tuesday and will twice a week give food and the chance to play to local families.

It is paid for by a grant from the Glasgow Care Foundation.

But Gill and her husband Kyle, who manages Glasgow North West, have been working in a local school where the teachers said they were drawing up lists of free days out to give to parents.

This made Gill think about what else the foodbank might do to help.

Mum-of-four Gill added: "It's for the parents as well. I know how difficult and stressful it can be during the summer holidays and you are constantly looking for ways to entertain and distract the kids.

"If you have no means to leave the house and go out then you can be driven stir crazy.

Gill suggests donors might like to give cinema tickets, passes for Laser Quest or the Glasgow Science Centre or Braehead Soar.

The foodbank will give families money for public transport to and from the event.

Gill said: "We're looking for anything that would be a fun day out for a family.

"We will make up the money for train and bus fares to ensure the family isn't out of pocket on transport and we will provide a packed lunch for everyone going."

Gill also plans to approach transport companies for donations of travel passes.

Donors can send in vouchers to the foodbank or leave them at supermarket collection points.

The foodbank is based in Blawarthill Parish Church and pick up points are in Tesco and Sainsbury's supermarkets in the area as well as Waitrose.