Every Tuesday morning a white van with green markings unloads trays of fruit, vegetables, juices, even ration packs from the United Nations, to be distributed to scores of people on the peninsula.

This is Fare Share delivering to Shotley Kidzone, where the painstaking task of packing the produce into parcels by a small team of willing helpers takes place.

More than 100 people a week benefit from the combined efforts of Kidzone and national food bank charity Fare Share on a weekly basis, after the partnership quickly adapted to the Covid-19 crisis.

One of Fare Share's delivery volunteers is Rob Billing, who lives in Shotley Gate and regularly drops off first thing in the morning to a waiting Therasa Butcher.

Therasa is manager of Kidzone, which provides wrap around care and a nursery for pre-school aged children, and first started working with Fare Share last September, so they were ready to help the community during lockdown.

"We didn't want people coming to the setting so myself and the staff volunteered to come in, section it all off and we then distribute the parcels," said Therasa,

"It goes to families we know, they appreciate the extra pieces, some of the staff welcome it and we help out.

"Some of the excess we leave outside a property on Bristol Hill and people can help themselves for free.

"We have also given some things to the village hall, which is operating a similar system, so nothing goes to waste."

Kidzone was rated 'Outstanding' by Ofsted earlier this year, with staff and management praised in the inspectors' report, so it comes as no surprise at how the charity facility has responded.

Therasa said: "I have always been proud of the team we have here. My staff have always stepped up when needed and every single one volunteered to help out during this lock down."

Going above and beyond is normal for Kidzone and providing a little extra treat now and then helps the wellbeing of all 60 youngsters and their parents.

"Because Fare Share know us, know what we do for the children, some of the companies that supply them know us too," said Therasa. "For example, Waitrose gave us extra items for the children and we have been able to put together goody bags for the youngsters.

"We also been able to put together a little parcel for every parent of our pre-school children too, with thing like chocolate and face cream."

Former soldier and BAE engineer Rob, who moved to Shotley from the west country, normally volunteers on a Friday but has subsequently added Tuesdays, and other occasional days now to meet demand.

Rob said: "A typical Friday will be taking a full van to Norwich and then spent covering homeless shelters, residential home, Trussell Trust, schools, Labour Group, and Christian Society, which will take six or seven hours.

"There is such a need now, a usual week used to be about seven tonnes of food distributed, it is now 21 tonnes.

Rob admitted volunteering for Fare Share has been an eye opener for him and how much need there is, sometimes in the unlikeliest of places.

"I never realised anything like this came to the Shotley peninsula so it is great to be able to help," he said. "Teresa and her staff here at Kidzone are doing a wonderful job and this is an addition to what they do normally.

"It is a pleasure to do the peninsula route, especially as Chris drives, so I get to see things here I don't normally get to see when I'm driving myself.

"I have always known about Kidzone but probably didn't appreciate just how good it is in here and what they do. It feels good distributing this amount of food here, knowing how welcome it is too."

Therasa described how Kidzone was looking to increase its use of Fare Share last month, before necessity forced another shift in focus.

"The scheme was up where we pay a weekly charge and use those items to give to our children, breakfast, snacks evening meals and anything else," said Therasa

"Any excess is put in a separate pantry and the parents put a donation into a pot and help themselves, so nothing goes to waste.

"Not only does this help us financially and as a charity that is important, but it also helps eliminate waste, we like that and the parents like that too.

"We were going to change our system slighty in April, where