AN OFFICIAL county day celebration is due to return this year after being postponed due to the Covid pandemic.

Northumberland Day 2022 is set to put the focus on community and fun, with the celebration taking place on May 29.

The overall theme for this year is the Northumberland Day Food Bank Challenge and FB Cup which aims to assist struggling people with the cost of living crisis and who need the support of food banks.

The Food Bank Challenge asks Northumbrians to do something very simple - focus on red and yellow foods they could donate to a food bank.

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"We want to see pictures of people donating red and yellow items and hear what it is they are donating and which team they are playing for," says organiser Jane Hunt.

"We want to see schools rallying their pupils, businesses and hotels mobilising their staff and kitchens and individuals playing for their 'team'.

"Donations can be made to any food bank and those donating just need to make sure they can get their donations to their chosen food bank, or have them collected, and, of course, let us know what they have donated, so it can go onto their team's tally."

"The ultimate winner will receive a trophy – something any community should be proud to win, as it will demonstrate their kindness and generous spirit."

Hexham Courant: CHARITY: The Northumberland Day Bear Mascot, Northumbear, demonstrating the types of red and yellow food items that could be donated. Image: Northumberland DayCHARITY: The Northumberland Day Bear Mascot, Northumbear, demonstrating the types of red and yellow food items that could be donated. Image: Northumberland Day

The organisers have added the competitive element of the FB Cup. The food bank version of the FA Cup, 'teams' of grouped towns and villages will compete against each other to see which can generate the most red and yellow donations to food banks.

Jane added: "We are continuing to drive Northumberland Day, despite our very tiny private resources, because we know how much people love it and the difference it makes to schools and our young citizens, in particular.

"We just urge everyone to get involved and strengthen their communities by doing so. It's so easy to do and can be extremely uplifting. Past years have been great fun and we hope 2022 can be just the same. We want to show that Northumberland is one passionate community and a community that cares."

For more information, go to www.northumberlandday.co.uk.