Suffolk army cadets from Bury St Edmunds, Stowmarket, Sudbury and others combine efforts for food bank challenge

Army cadets across the county have collected hundreds of food bank donations as part of a 12-hour challenge.

The food bank challenge saw 23 detachments take part including cadets from Bury St Edmunds, Beccles, Felixstowe, Hadleigh, Haverhill, Ixworth, Lowestoft and Pakefield, Stowmarket, Mildenhall, Sudbury and Woodbridge.

It was set by Commandant Colonel Rob Simpkin on Saturday, June 10 and he said the challenge will become an annual charity event.

He said: “I would just like to thank all the cadets, CFAV's riders and foodbank volunteers who have made our first annual foodbank collection a big success.

“I know it was a challenge in these difficult times but the total effort was outstanding and will make a huge difference to many families in need."

A group of ACF Adult Volunteer motorcyclists travelled 250 miles to visit many detachments to thank them for their efforts.

They started this journey in Stowmarket and finished at the Ipswich Army Reserve Centre in the evening.

The collections of non-perishable foods and toiletries were presented to local food bank representatives.