Hard graft from volunteers and unbelievable generosity from communities sees more than five tonnes realised

While the Lochore and Crosshill stage of the initiative was postponed due to the morning rain on Thursday, five collection shifts, three in Lochgelly and two in Benarty, yielded almost four tonnes of food supplies for the Food Bank based at the Crosshill Centre.

And while the Fundraisers' volunteers were on Tuesday still making their final calculations after Monday's closing collection in Benarty, the venture will have seen more than five tonnes gathered through the generosity of the residents of Lochgelly; and the villages of Ballingry, Lochore, Crosshill and Glencraig, and the hard graft of the volunteers.

The weather was pretty kind to the collecting teams on Tuesday and Wednesday of last week, with trailers supplied by businessmen, Peter McGuire and Davie Farrell, heading through Benarty and Lochgelly, the teams, made up of Superman and Minions in Benarty; and Spiderman and even more Minions, in Lochgelly, getting great support from residents

Some persistent rain on Thursday morning saw the Benarty venture postponed, but the Lochgelly team took advantage of conditions clearing towards noon and were back on the trail.

Again the people of the town were very generous and Thursday's tally was almost 1.2 tonnes.

Davie said: "What an amazing experience.

"It was like a self generating carnival atmosphere with Spiderman and the Minions all playing their part in lifting everyone's spirits and the kids loved every minute of it.

"The music also was brilliant at making the occasion and the generosity of people was astounding, with not only food donations but also monetary contributions to the food bank."

Davie paid tribute to the volunteers in Lochgelly, Gordon Mackie, Mel Wilson, Dean Shorthouse, Alexis Brown, Louise Brown, Eric Beveridge, Spiderman, David Simpson, Christine Simpson, Demi Simpson, Helen Scott, Jackie Page, Michelle McDonald, Vicki McKenzie, Linda Rowley and also Cheryl.

James commented: "We couldn't have asked for more from our volunteers and the generosity of the residents was phenomenal.

"It was a little disappointing the way the weather turned on Thursday morning, but we were delighted to finish our Benarty side of things on Monday.

"When we started it all we were hoping for a few dozen bags of supplies to boost the Benarty Food Bank's stocks, but to raise five tonnes was amazing."

Watch out in next week's paper for more photos and a full run down on the Benarty team.