Aisling Bea and friends put on a food collection drive event to raise money for Hackney Foodbank before Christmas

Volunteers at Hackney Foodbank have transformed Christmas this year for hundreds of people in extreme poverty.

An urgent plea has been issued to businesses, churches and community groups for festive hampers for visitors to Hackney Foodbank this Christmas.

Hackney Foodbank is urging the public to donate vouchers for teenagers in poverty this Christmas.

Hackney Foodbank has an alternative to the traditional Advent calendar – they’re urging the public to donate food to a collection box each day.

Neil Martinson gives a free talk on Sunday 13 November about his widely acclaimed photography of Hackney in the 70’s and 80’s and raises money for Hackney Foodbank.