Tyne Tees Charity News

Asked whether David Cameron was concerned about the massive increase in people using foodbanks under his Government, the Prime Minister's official spokesman said:

Recognising that these are tough economic times is why the Government has been taking the action it is in a number of areas to help families, including through measures around fuel duty and council tax.

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• Yorkshire
• Lincolnshire

People in need of emergency food supplies in the North East is ten times higher than it was in 2011.

This year's figures are shocking compared to 2011 when only 700 people needed support.

• 10,510 people in the North East received food in 2012-13
• 3,452 were children
• 741 people in the North East received food 2011-12

Food-boxes contain a three day supply of non-perishable foods like tinned fruit as well as pasta and cereals. Dieticians ensure food-boxes are nutritionally balanced before they are given out. The number of food banks in our region has almost doubled since last year.

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• Charity
• Food Banks

The North East has had its biggest ever increase in people depending on food banks. The number of people using them has risen ten fold. 10,000 people in the North East received a minimum of three days of emergency food last year. More than 3,000 were children.

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• Charity
• Food Banks

Now many of us like to get out and about at weekends, enjoy the fresh air or do something energetic.

One Tyneside man is taking that to the extreme, as Tony Phoenix-Morrison is running 100 miles in 24 hours to raise money for the Sir Bobby Robson Foundation.

This task is difficult enough for anyone, but Tony has earned himself a bit of a reputation for doing things the hard way.

To explain, Kenny Toal joined him on Newcastle's Quayside for the start of the challenge.

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• Newcastle
• Sir Bobby Robson Foundation

Sunderland 123 - 115 Newcastle

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• Charity
• Sir Bobby Robson

Former Sunderland player Micky Horswill took part in a charity golf day to raise money for the Sir Bobby Robson Foundation and the Foundation of Light. Former players and fans played in two teams, Sunderland and Newcastle. The rivalry was friendly but thoughts were on Sunday's derby game.

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• Charity
• Sir Bobby Robson

Former Sunderland player Kevin Ball talks about Sunday's derby and the charity golf day.

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• Charity
• Sir Bobby Robson

As the derby game between Newcastle and Sunderland approaches, former players and fans have been taking part in a derby of their own... on the golf course.

Both sides were at Ramside Hall in Durham, to raise money for the Sir Bobby Robson Foundation and the Foundation of Light.

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• Charity
• Sir Bobby Robson

Former players and football fans gathered at Ramside Hall in Durham to raise money for the Sir Bobby Robson Foundation and the Foundation of Light. Ahead of Sunday's derby match, Newcastle fittingly played Sunderland. The day had a friendly rivalry as those taking await the weekend.

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• Charity
• Sir Bobby Robson

Air ambulance services which cover the North East and Yorkshire are to share £20,000 from the Freemasons' Grand Charity.

Yorkshire Air Ambulance has been awarded £8,000 and Great North Air Ambulance, which covers North Yorkshire, Cumbria and the North East, received £12,000.

"We are delighted to be able to show our support for air ambulance charities once again with a donation of £192,000.

"Supporting these rescue services remains popular within Freemasonry because of the important work they carry out in communities across the country.

"We hope that the £1.3 million that has been donated since 2007 has made a valuable contribution and helped to save lives."

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• Air Ambulance
• Charity