ACTON-based charity City Harvest ran its annual food and fund-raising drive – and inspired rail staff to help.

City Harvest Festival aims to unite communities to help those less fortunate, embodying the true spirit of harvest festival.

Its nearest London Overground station, Acton Central, had a food drive at the station and a fund-raising appeal across neighbouring stations, Willesden Junction and South Acton.

The Acton Central team collected enough food from staff and the public for 250 meals.

Team members David Cranstoun and Pauline Lawler championed the initiative after visiting City Harvest and becoming aware of rising food poverty. 

Mr Cranstoun, customer host for London Overground, wanted to do something to help and the Acton Central team rounded off their efforts by volunteering in the charity’s Acton HQ.

He said: “I’m a member of a Methodist church, and every time there is an event about distributing food you see a long list of people coming to take food.

“That really shows that there’s a lot of poverty in London. The queue is long enough to tell you people are suffering.”