Two Girlguiding volunteers are holding a fundraising event to help support a local food bank.

Lauren Farrelly and Freya Hart, both 16, are planning to walk five laps around Charlton Lakes – which is 7.5 miles – on Monday (August 9) to raise hundreds of pounds for Andover Foodbank.

The two Rangers (Girlguiding members aged 14-18) said they decided to raise funds for the food bank as the place was able to feed over 6,700 people, including 1,900 children from April 2020 to March 2021.

Speaking to the Advertiser, Freya said: “It means a chance to give back and help people. But we are also raising awareness that people still need the food bank, and it needs donations of money and food to keep open and running.

“The main reason people use the foodbank is due to low income which worsened due to the specific circumstances of lockdowns and business closures.”

Lauren said she is doing her part to help the community in the best way possible.

“It is really important to us to help our community in any way possible, especially what has been going on recently. So fundraising is an opportunity to give back to those who need help the most.”

Their gofundme page has already raised £410 as of Sunday (August 8), but they are aiming to raise more funds to support the food bank.

Lauren lives in Andover, while Freya’s family moved from Andover to Stockbridge some time ago.

Lauren is doing A-level at Andover College. Freya is doing A-level at Peter Symonds College in Winchester.

Their walk will start at the Charlton Lakes Café at 11am on Monday.

If you would like to contribute to their cause, visit their gofundme page here.