A regional daily has raised thousands of pounds to help vulnerable young children and families affected by food poverty.

The Hull Daily Mail and its Hull Live sister website raised nearly £3,500 after asking readers to give whatever financial donation they could to support the work of FareShare Hull & Humber, a charity which distributes donated surplus food to 170 community organisations across the region.

The drive was inspired by Manchester United and England footballer Marcus Rashford’s campaign to secure free school meals for eligible children over the half-term and winter holidays.

The ‘Give us your lunch money!’ campaign had initially aimed to raise £2,500 over a weekend – the equivalent of funding 1,000 school meals for local children and struggling families who need them most.

The campaign’s success featured on Thursday’s front page

Hull Live Editor Jamie Macaskill said in a message to readers: “My sincere thanks to every reader who contributed.

“Every pound will make a real difference to the lives of vulnerable children and families.

“We also hope this has highlighted some of the great work that FareShare do in our community and that people will continue to support them in the challenging weeks and months ahead.”