TRANSPORT cops have teamed up with two city foodbanks to hold a collection in Glasgow Central Station.

The Glasgow South East and South West foodbanks will benefit from the collection which will take place underneath the station's clock on Wednesday, November 28 between 7am and 7pm.

PC Nichols Duffy became aware that the foodbank was in need of supplies and he contacted them about doing a collection.

Audrey Flannagan, who is Manager of the Glasgow South East Foodbank, explained that her organisation usually have a surplus of food sitting as a back up. They, however, have been short on supplies since about June, and as such all items going into the foodbank is heading straight back out. The foodbank is also preparing for a potential increase in the demand for the service with the rollout of Universal Credit.

She said: "Between our foodbank and Glasgow South West foodbank, we fed 10,000 people in South Side of Glasgow last year. There are many other foodbanks in the city.

"We are also waiting on the onset of Universal Credit. Although it hasn't hit us quite yet, it will by the time Christmas comes because any new claims going into Universal Credit automatically have a five week waiting period before you get any money at all."

Audrey explained that she recently spoke to city teachers who have been supplying food to their pupils and this is just the tip of the iceberg for those living on the breadline in Glasgow.

She added: "My statistics show the vast majority of people using foodbanks are families. People are getting hit hard and there has been a benefits freeze for nearly three years. There is no extra money but prices for food, rent, gas and electricity are always going up. Most people who are not working are not choosing that. The reality is there is no jobs for them at this time."

British Transport Police PC Caroline Irving said officers based at Central Station hope to do more collections in the future with the foodbanks.

PC Duffy added: "We have 150,000 people a day coming through the station. It is an opportunity for British Transport Police in the station to help. It is a busy station, a focal point for the city so why not help when we can?"

You can donate tinned fruit, tinned meat, tea bags, coffee, pasta, sauces for pasta, tinned tomatoes, diluting juice, rice pudding, custard, instant mash potato, cereal, tinned vegetables and toiletries.

No cash donation on the day will be accepted you can contact Glasgow South East Foodbank directly via foodbank@glasgowelim.org.uk.