A CAMPAIGN to support Copeland's hardest-hit families this winter will continue despite the Government's u-turn on free school meals.

Copeland Christmas Food Project was launched after a Labour motion to extend the provision over the holidays was voted down. But those behind it have vowed to carry on.

Whitehaven RUFC's Jordan Mattinson, who is leading the campaign, welcomed the news of £170m of additional funding to help disadvantaged children this winter, but thinks it's a decision the Government should have reached last month.

He said: "It’s great news but it really shouldn’t take this much of a push by the public to force a government U-turn, they’ve been shamed into it really.

"We’ve decided to continue. As our food will be none perishable items, they will keep and hopefully help families at a later date if needed and make for a more comfortable Christmas."

Jordan said that because people have donated to help families struggling over Christmas that will "absolutely" remain their aim.

The Copeland Christmas Food Project has now received more than £6,600 in donations and has been well-supported by local businesses.

This week, Claire Bailey, on behalf of Peill & Co, made a donation and also granted the use of a lock-up for supplies at Haig Enterprise Park, and Coastal Eats donated a week's worth of profit to the fund.

There are now 27 schools involved with 1,100 children eligible for free school meals and a core band of eight volunteers, though Jordan says he is continuing to receive offers of help.

"We never expected it to go anywhere near as well as it has and honestly we can’t thank people enough. With the donations we have were going to cover some of Allerdale too so it’s going to make over 2,000 families have a better Christmas. Thank you very much," he said.

The Government's £170m Covid Winter Grant Scheme will by run by local authorities in England - who will receive the funding at the start of December - until the end of March 2021.

At least 80 per cent of the money is earmarked to support food and bills.

The Department for Works and Pensions said the new fund will allow councils, who are best placed to understand the need in their area, to directly help the hardest-hit families and individuals, as well as provide food for children who need it over the holidays.

A further £220m has also been announced to extend the Holiday Activities and Food Programme - providing healthy food and activities to disadvantaged children out of term time - to cover the Easter, summer and Christmas holidays in 2021.

The latest figures, from Cumbria County Council, show there are 1,659 children in receipt of free school meals in Copeland and 2,189 in Allerdale.

The food project's parcels, containing at least a week’s worth of meals, will be delivered to schools between December 14 and 16.