A DUMBARTON teen is using his new found spare time without football to help those in need in his local community.

14-year-old Ben Lavery, who is the TV anchor for young Dumbarton FC fans channel Young Sons Tv, teamed up with local food bank Food For Thought to organise food charity collection during the COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic.

Ben recorded a video of himself for the Young Sons TV social media channel standing in front of bare food aisles in Asda Dumbarton to show the scale of the urgency needed to help those in need.

He told the Reporter: "The football season's been suspended, and my first thought was that what is happening is much bigger than football. Seeing the shelves empty I thought I'd go to my local food bank and help them out."

The video, which has been viewed over 3,000 times, has received quite the positive response from the general public. "It's been brilliant," Ben said, "We've had a lot of great responses and everyone's been sharing the video.

"People should get down to the food bank and make a donation if possible. If you can't go you can message me on Facebook and I'll make sure your donations are collected."

And Ben admits that this is only the beginning of his charity, stating that he wants to use the current situation to boost the donation platform.

The video can be viewed on the Young Sons TV Facebook channel and donations can be made by visiting Food For Thought at St Augustine's Community Hall, Dumbarton.

Food For Thought are currently looking for non perishable items such as tinned meats, potatoes, beans, vegetables, soups, pastas, cereals, biscuits and milk.