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A mum who had only a bag of frozen peas to feed her five children for a week has opened two food banks to help others in need.

Gill McCormack was barely able to feed herself and her children after a series of tragic events drew her into the poverty trap.

But she bounced back and used her tough experiences to fuel a desire to help others.

And now she's been dubbed the Angel of Glasgow after opening a pair of bustling food banks who have helped more than 7,000 people.

Gill, 28, is delighted her Trussell Trust banks are helping others.

She says: "We offer more than a life-saving bag of groceries. We have an informal café where folk can sit down and share their problems.

"The rule is if they come in with a frown they leave with a smile."

The wonder-mum's amazing work has now seen her nominated for a Woman of the Year award.

But her selfless project has been borne out of adversity.

She miscarried the day before her wedding, then husband David died exactly a year later - just six weeks after the birth of her next child.

She has since found love with new husband Kyle, also 28, who said: "She's overcome so much and can't stop helping others."

Gill added: "I've been to Hell and back but something inside of me wanted to do something for others in similar positions.

(Image: Cascade)

"People should never give up, no matter how hard life can be."

Gill was just 21 when she was looking forward to her wedding day with David.

Already a mum-of-two, she was expecting a third child with her fiancé and they were excited about their big day.

But the day before her wedding, Gill began to bleed at five months' pregnant. Doctors told her she was miscarrying but there was nothing she could do about it, so she bravely continued with the wedding plans.

David was devastated too, but the pair tried again and she fell pregnant, giving birth to Grace a year later.

However, David fell ill when Grace was six-weeks-old and three days later died of meningitis. His organs were donated and his liver and heart saved two lives.

Gill was bereft and in financial trouble as David had been the main breadwinner. She ended up struggling to buy food, one week even surviving off a sole bag of peas.

The experience however has left the mum-of-five uniquely positioned to help people referred to her Trussell Trust food bank.

"Many people come in with no food in their kitchen, but they bring with them their troubles. They range from personal to money worries.

"Some arrive with nothing, but move on to get jobs and do well enough to donate food to us.

"Seeing people's lives so vastly transformed is hugely rewarding."

Her busy food bank in Scotstoun, Glasgow, which she launched in May 2013, has proven so popular she's opened a new one in nearby Broomhill.

She's supported by the Trussell Trust - a food bank charity which operates like a franchise to people who want to set up one of the needy centres.

(Image: Getty)

"Our food banks are the last port of call for many desperately hungry families," she adds.

"Some mums confess they have not eaten a proper meal for weeks.

"They always put their kids first and their own health suffers."

One person referred to her food bank - who did not want to give her name - said people see Gill as an angel.

"She's done it all off her own back," she said. "She's amazing. Just seeing her lifts people's spirits."

Food bank use has soared in Scotland and northern England since the economic downturn.

Their everyday use is now a depressing reality for countless families.

Gill says: "The number of people with empty kitchen cupboards would shock you.

"We are supposed to live in an affluent country, but I see the other side of life and it's not pretty."

The dozens of thank-you cards delivered to the devoted mum bear testament to her kindness.

"Gill has a wonderful way of making people feel so happy," Kyle added. "Despite all the grief she has survived."

A spokeswoman for The Trussell Trust said they are delighted with the impact Gill has made.

Trustee Alison Inglis-Jones said: "We would not be able to operate without people such as Gill. She truly is an angel.

"To come from such adversity to set up food banks is amazing.

"She is vital for people in crisis."