A ticket office clerk who surprised children on hospital wards with hundreds of Easter eggs is collecting winter foodbank donations.

Harlow train stations have become food bank collection points for six weeks to gather donations for to help people in the cost-of-living crisis this winter.

The collection has been organised by Greater Anglia relief ticket office clerk, Michael King to gather donations at the stations from November 1 to December 12 after the success of his Easter appeal.

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Items can be dropped off at Harlow Mill, Harlow Town, Bishop’s Stortford, Sawbridgeworth, and Stansted Mountfitchet rail stations.

A full list of items needed are on display at the ticket offices, but can include non-perishable foods, toiletries, baby supplies, feminine products and household items.

Mr King said: “As a team, we really care about our local area and want to do our bit, especially in the run up to Christmas.

“Our local food banks are incredible and make such a difference so we wanted to make it easy for people to donate by becoming a collection point, as we have lots of people passing through our stations.

“Our customers have been amazing during previous appeals and we would be so grateful for their support again to help people who may be struggling over the winter months.”

Epping Forest Guardian: Simon Pope, relief ticket office supervisor (left) and Michael King, relief ticket office clerk (right) with a pile of donated Easter eggs for children in hospital Simon Pope, relief ticket office supervisor (left) and Michael King, relief ticket office clerk (right) with a pile of donated Easter eggs for children in hospital (Image: Greater Anglia/PA)

Donations will be delivered to foodbanks in the area around December 15.

Over Easter Mr King organised an appeal for commuters to donate Easter eggs at the stations to be delivered to Princess Alexandra Hospital Trust, in Harlow.

He was able to donate more than 450 easter eggs and treats to children on hospital wards across Essex and Cambridgeshire.

He said he was “blown away” by the amount that was donated over easter and he “didn’t think we’d get anywhere as many as we have”.

The Trussell Trust, the network which Harlow Foodbank is part of, has said foodbanks are being impacted by the cost-of-living crisis as need rises without levels of donations keeping pace.

This means that food banks are having to purchase food and other essentials to supplement what would usually be provided by donations.