AN incredible team who help feed, clothe and support some of society’s most vulnerable people have been given a major financial boost to continue their vital work.

Staff and volunteers at St Mark’s Church in Barrow are this month’s recipients of a £1,000 grant from the Lake District Farmers Armstrong Family Charitable Fund, via The Mail. The money will help towards sustaining a wide range of worthy activities the church team runs for the community.

The work of the church is completely needs-based, which means that every time a member of staff or volunteer sees something or someone in the community in need of support, it can inspire a whole new scheme. They run a community lunch for 30 to 40 people every Monday, followed by their Mini Marks toddler group from 1pm until 2.30pm. While that is going on, the Making Marks knitting and sewing group are busy making clothes to boost one of the church’s most innovative schemes.

The clothes bank at St Mark’s is open every morning for men, women and children, at the same time as a community cafe offers out hot drinks and snacks such as toast or a crumpet. So far it has served around 4,500 people in need.

Community pastor, Gillian Grisedale, said: “St Mark’s is the most deprived parish in Cumbria and we are trying to help and enrich the lives of our community.”

As well as providing wash bags and sanitary products to those in need and those who have just left prison, the team regularly visits the wards of Furness General Hospital to offer unused, donated nightwear and care kits to elderly patients admitted without warning.

In addition, St Mark’s runs a youth cafe from 6pm until 7.30pm every Tuesday, welcoming children aged six to 14. At its peak, up to 49 youngsters have attended the free sessions.

Next, St Mark’s volunteers hope to set up a community garden project on waste ground at the church, and they hope to buy tools, compost and raised beds for the scheme. They are also in need of new toys for the toddlers, resources for the crafts group and rails for the clothes bank.

Funding for all the initiatives costs around £13,500 a year, and runs out every April, so the team are always applying for grants, funding and donations.

Of what the £1,000 from LDF and The Mail means, Gillian said: “I couldn’t believe it when they told us we were getting the full amount. It’s such a lot of money.

“We thought maybe we would get £50 or something like that, but to be told that is just incredible. I can’t begin to tell you the difference it will make.”

The money donated was raised at the Lake District Farmers Armstrong Family Charitable Fund annual celebrity chef events, hosted and sponsored by Clarence House Country Hotel and Restaurant, Dalton.

Visit www.nwemail.co.uk/ldf to apply for The Mail and LDF’s monthly £1,000 grant giveaway.