A 69-YEAR-OLD woman from Westbury is encouraging local people to throw a tea party and brew up a bumper donation in support of an anti-poverty charity.

Yvonne King is a committed supporter of the Trussell Trust and later this year plans to celebrate her 70th birthday by doing a tandem skydive in honour of her sister Rena Hyman, who died last year from Covid, to help raise vital funds for the charity.

She is also urging people across Wiltshire to host a Tea for Trussell tea party to help raise vital funds for the charity and end the need for food banks in the UK.

Yvonne said: “I wasn’t sure about which charity to raise money for until I discovered Mark and Roxanne Hoyle from LadBaby and how much incredible work they do to for Trussell Trust.

“It’s tough to hear about people needing to use food banks to get by but together we can all make a difference and help build a UK where everyone can afford the basics.”

The official dates for Tea for Trussell are Monday, June 21 - Sunday, July 4, but people can hold their tea party whenever and wherever suits them.

Fundraisers can choose to host an event at home with their nearest and dearest or raise their mugs virtually with loved ones.

From superstar cake-makers to those who prefer to buy their baked goods, the charity says that Tea for Trussell will be a fun way for groups to get together over a brew and a bite to eat, while making a difference to thousands of people in crisis.

The Trussell Trust supports a nationwide network of more than 1,300 food bank centres – including 11 in Wiltshire – which provides support to people locked in poverty and campaigns for change to end their need.

Food banks in Wiltshire distributed 11,366 emergency food parcels to people facing crisis between April 2020 and March 2021.

With the help of supporters and fundraisers across Wiltshire, the Trussell Trust is determined to createa future where no one in the UK needs to use a food bank.

All funds raised from Tea for Trussell event will help the charity work towards its vision of a country where everyone can afford the essentials in life.

Kate Merrifield, events engagement manager at Trussell Trust, said: “We are incredibly grateful to Yvonne for supporting Tea for Trussell. Hosting your own tea party is a brilliant way to bring friends, families and colleagues together this summer, while raising vital funds to end the need for food banks.

“We all know that some of the best conversations happen over brew – which is why a cup of tea is also at the heart of our food bank network.The warm welcome of a cuppa has the power to spark conversation and offer support to people coming into the food bank, while helping to uncover and address the underlying issues of poverty.

“It’s not right that any of us need to use a food bank but we know that this can change. That’s why we’re urging everyone to put the kettle on and get their loved ones involved.

“Whether you prefer your tea milky or black, with sugar or without, builders’ brew or a masala chai – anything goes, as long as you’re having fun!

“Now is the perfect time to raise both a cuppa and donations, so that together we can build a hunger free future.”

For details and to get your free fundraising pack which includes recipes, go to trusselltrust.org/teafortrussell or email fundraising@trusselltrust.org