Pastor John Shades has stepped down as founder of Enniskillen Foodbank after 15 years of operation in Fermanagh. He has handed over the running of the charity to Paul Dixon, a member of Cross Community Church.

Shades established Cross Community Church in Enniskillen in 2011. He moved to Northern Ireland in 2007 and spent four years in Portstewart before moving to Enniskillen.

He is relocating to British Columbia with his wife and three children, where he has accepted an opportunity to take over a church. He said the move would provide a better work-life balance and new opportunities for his grown-up children.

During his time leading the foodbank, Shades estimates around 36,000 people received assistance. He expressed gratitude for the support of churches, agencies, organisations, and individuals.

Dixon is originally from the area and previously managed a foodbank in England. Shades described the future of the foodbank as being in safe hands and urged the community to continue supporting its work.