A food bank for Lewisham refugees needs to raise £13,000 to continue feeding the most vulnerable people in the borough.

Action for Refugees in Lewisham (AFRIL) are fundraising for Helping Hands to provide food boxes and parcels for refugees and asylum seekers in south-east London.

One family who used the service had lived off bread and cereal for weeks before going to the charity for a bag of food.

The service user, who asked to remain anonymous, said: “My children had only eaten bread and cereal for weeks before AFRIL gave us a food package.

“We walked to the office to get a bag of food, and it was such a relief.

“I am sleeping on the street and was desperate before coming to AFRIL for food, which helped me a lot more than I can say.”

AFRIL has worked with refugees, asylum seekers and other vulnerable migrants living in south-east London since 2006, and supports about 120 people a week.

The food bank project will work with Fareshare who save good food that would otherwise be wasted and send it to charities.

Founder and manager Iolanda Chirico said: "The Helping Hands Food Bank will provide vital food boxes and parcels once a week to some of the most destitute individuals and families in the area, and will specifically target refugee and asylum seeker families to make sure they have nutritious fresh food. 

"We'll also be providing advice and resources to help people eat healthily and reduce their food costs by running sessions with a community development nutritionist.

“By teaching people to make wise and thrifty food choices, we hope we'll be able to help people from this vulnerable group find their feet.

"AFRIL has been supporting local refugees with food packages for some time, but it's vital that we're able to expand the project with this foodbank.

“There are families in the area who simply wouldn't be able to get through the week without these supplies.”

The campaign has picked up momentum £3,923 has been raised so far.

Channel 4 news anchor Jon Snow also lent his support to the fundraiser on Twitter.

AFRIL Volunteer Rosie Hopegood said: 'Having the support of a well-known figure such as Jon Snow has been a huge boost to the campaign.

“Jon's support couldn't come at a better time – the campaign got off to a great start, but we only have 25 days left to raise the further £13,000 needed to kickstart the food bank.

"The support from local residents has been amazing too, with so many people rallying to help us get this project started.”

To donate visit the Crowdfunder page and to learn more about AFRIL's work visit their website.