MORE volunteers are needed as an expanding charity continues to honour the memory of its founder.

The North-East Helpline Trust, founded by Spennymoor Independent Methodist minister Walter Wilkinson, is hoping to increase the number of soup kitchens it runs.

Mr Wilkinson died from a heart attack last year, aged 49, but his wife Anne, a trustee of the charity, and daughters Leanne and Helen, vowed to carry on his work.

With friend Brian McAnaney, from Spennymoor, in charge of the soup kitchens, the charity is ready to expand and is looking for people to help with the cooking, serving of food, to talk to people and general chores.

Mr McAnaney, 38, said: "We run six different kitchens a week in Newcastle and Middlesbrough, but are looking to increase that to ten a week within the month.''

The charity has helped hundreds of homeless people, travelling with hot food in a double decker bus and catering trailer. The food is cooked and prepared at the Mount Pleasant Methodist Chapel, in Spennymoor, before being transported to the needy.

Mrs Wilkinson said: "It costs us approximately £1,000 a week and we are feeding about 400 to 500 people. What we want is for people to come forward and help in whatever way they can.''

Anyone who would like to help the charity can call Mrs Wilkinson on (01388) 811943.