Liam Payne has teamed up with a national charity to provide food banks with 360,000 meals for those left struggling as a result of the coronavirus pandemic.
The former One Direction star, 26, is working alongside Trussell Trust to provide meal donations that will aid food banks located in the Midlands, his home region.
His donation will provide a crisis fund to those food banks who provide an essential community service to those directly affected by COVID-19.
Helping hand: Liam Payne is donating 360,000 meals to support food banks in the Midlands, his home region, providing for those struggling during the coronavirus pandemic
Food banks are said to see an increase in those in need of their help because of the coronavirus outbreak, with it especially providing difficulty to those who aren’t eligible for sick pay or have unstable jobs.
Lockdown measures put in place in the UK have seen schools, pubs, bars, clubs, gym, cafes and restaurants with shut, with some people losing their job as a result precautionary measures to control the spread of coronavirus being put in place.
Wanting to help out those who are in need, Liam has said: ‘It’s not right that anyone in our country is unable to afford food. Food banks do incredible work to help the people most in need of support.
‘It’s vital that we get support to those people right now, as this crisis unfolds. The Trussell Trust is working with food banks across the country to ensure emergency help is there for people who don’t have money for the basics.
Charitable: The 26-year-old’s donation will provide a crisis fund to those food banks who provide an essential community service to those directly affected by COVID-19
Support is ‘vital’: Liam said he wants to play his part in ensuring everyone has access to food
‘But I’m also donating because of the work they do to work towards a future where no one needs a food bank – we can’t end the conversation with getting emergency food to people – as vital as that is.
‘When we’re out the other side of this, we need to look at why there are people in our country who don’t have enough money for food. I want to play my part in finding a solution to ensure people have enough money to buy their own food – and end the need for food banks.’
Liam’s donation will help to support 100 food banks in Birmingham, Stoke-on-Trent, Coventry, Sheffield, Nottingham and Bristol, as well other centres across the UK.
The Strip That Down singer was also seen throwing his support behind the NHS and the Clap for Carers initiative that took place across the country on Thursday night.
Liam was among those clapping for NHS and healthcare workers who are currently working on the frontline during the coronavirus pandemic.
He was recently seen showering praise on ex-girlfriend Cheryl, the mother of his son Bear, three, as he marked Mother’s Day and celebrated Bear’s third birthday.
Sweet: Liam was recently seen paying tribute to ex Cheryl as he thanked her for showing their son Bear, three, ‘all the love in the world’
In a sweet post he shared to his Instagram story, Liam wrote: ‘Double special day today thanks to 2 very special ladies and a very special little man…
‘Happy Mother’s Day mum and @cherylofficial you two are the most amazing mothers Bear and I could have asked for, thanks for raising me right and thank you Cheryl for showing my son all the love in the world.
‘Happy birthday little man! 3 already I can’t believe it. It’s amazing watching you grow and you surprise me constantly, it really seems like yesterday I was holding you for the first time, thank you for bringing life and joy to my world I hope I can do the same.’
Cheryl revealed that she had celebrated Bear’s birthday in a low-key manner at home, given the COVID-19 restrictions, but is planning to host a big party for her baby boy when the lockdown measures are finally lifted.
‘Stay safe, stay home’: Cheryl urged fans to adhere to lockdown measures, as she revealed she’s planning a big celebration for Bear’s birthday when restrictions are lifted
Cheryl said: ‘[Bear is] three today. Obviously no party, but it doesn’t matter. He’s still having fun. Lots of cake, lots of toys, he doesn’t really know the difference.
‘Hopefully in the summer, if we all stay home, we can have a celebration of both [being] rid of this horrible, horrific virus and a late birthday party.
‘But thank you to everybody sending him birthday wishes. I have been passing them along. I’m sending lots of love, lots of well wishes to you. Stay safe, stay home, please. That’s all we’ve got to do. It’s really not hard. We’ve just got to stay home.’
Liam and Cheryl now co-parent their son Bear, following their split in July 2018 after two years of dating.
Liam is now in a relationship with model Maya Henry.
Family: Liam and Cheryl now co-parent their son Bear, following their split in July 2018 after two years of dating