PERSONNEL from RAF St Mawgan served up £3,600 for charity to help fight food poverty after completing a three-day charity walk dressed as food items.

Nine people, including serving and civilian personnel, trekked 70 miles across Cornwall to raise vital funds and awareness for Newquay Foodbank.

The team set off from Newquay on Tuesday, March 17 before travelling through Newlyn East, Truro, Penryn, Redruth and Camborne, returning to RAF St Mawgan on Thursday afternoon.

They were greeted at the airbase by colleagues and Geraint Richards, the High Sheriff of Cornwall.

The walkers talked to residents throughout the challenge and heard personal stories. The team also encouraged supporters to follow along online and share images to inspire broader community action to help address increasing levels of food poverty across Cornwall.

The team collected 700kg of food donations along the way, which equates to 1,180 meals. The food was delivered to various foodbanks while the monetary donations from the walk will support Newquay Foodbank directly.

Warrant Officer Kev Riddle, who helped organise the walk, said: “Nine of us started the walk and nine of us finished with smiles on our faces.

“The money is really important. We’ve raised over £3,600, which the food bank can do a lot with, and we can’t believe how many food donations we’ve had.

“When we gave it to the food bank it has equated to over 1,100 meals.

“RAF St Mawgan is all about community team and community spirit. We live in our communities, and we want to make a difference.

“Unfortunately, people who are lucky to be in full-time employment we are hearing are having to use foodbanks. This has been a three-day trek for us, but it is nothing like 365 days a year where people are struggling.”

Zoe Hardacre from Newquay Foodbank added: “The incredible fundraising efforts of RAF St Mawgan, raising over £3,600 for Newquay Foodbank, is the equivalent of supporting more than 130 households in our community with essential food.

“At a time when, as a charity, we are facing increasing challenges in raising funds, this contribution provides truly meaningful support to those who need it most.

“We are incredibly grateful”.

Zoe Nixon from Newquay Foodbank, who joined the military personnel on the last leg of their trek, said: “We’ve received incredible support from RAF St Mawgan over the years but this walk has been an amazing event raising awareness and much needed funds, which enables us to continue our work.

“In Newquay we help 600 households a week, which equates to 1,200 people.

“A good proportion of these people are veterans.

“One thing that people do not realise is that we don’t just provide food. We also help with wrap around support such as Citizens Advice and Shelter to build resistance and get to the root of food bank use.”

RAF St Mawgan Station Commander, Wing Commander Helen Simpson said: “The team’s spirit and resilience have been remarkable.

“It is such a worthwhile cause, and we are proud to support them.”