Express & Star

Feed a Family This Christmas: Jordanne Whiley and Joe Clarke back our campaign

Two athletes who know the importance of food to fuel the body have given a resounding thumbs-up to the Express & Star's Feed A Family This Christmas campaign.

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Paralympian Jordanne Whiley and Olympic star Joe Clarke urged readers to get behind the appeal by donating food items to help struggling families and the homeless.

The pair, both part of Team GB in Rio this year, took time off training at the weekend to switch on the Christmas lights in Halesowen and Stafford respectively.

Halesowen-born Jordanne, aged 24, who won bronze in the wheelchair tennis doubles in Brazil, said: "It's a fantastic campaign and it goes without saying that we should all think of others who might not be having such a good time as ourselves at Christmas.

Let's all help, says Olympic Gold medallist Joe Clarke

"I hope people really take the appeal to their hearts and give what they can. I'm sure they will be generous."

Canoe slalom gold medallist Joe, also 24, who trains in Stafford, said: "If it is helping the local community then I will donate some stuff myself and hopefully try and raise the profile of it and get more people involved."

Donations have been flooding in for campaign in its first week. We are asking for gifts of festive food, such as mince pies, chocolates and Christmas puddings as well as basics like canned goods, long-life milk, fruit juice, pasta and rice.

Donations will go to The Well, (home of the Wolverhampton Food Bank), the Good Shepherd Ministry, also in Wolverhampton, the Black Country Food Bank, Smethwick Food Bank, Walsall North Food Bank and Cannock and District Food Bank. The appeal will also be supporting The Haven.

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