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| Cllr Jill Cleary presents cheque to Basics Bank Chairman Phil Wiseman and team of volunteers |
A grant from New Forest District Council is helping to provide individuals and families in need with basic food and hygiene items.
A cheque for £500 was presented to Phil Wiseman the chairman of New Forest Basics Bank, and his team of volunteers, by New Forest District Council’s Portfolio Holder for Housing, Councillor Jill Cleary, and is the first of four £500 instalments.
Basics Bank supports those in need by providing free emergency food and essential items for people who have been referred from registered bodies such as the health service, social services, or women’s refuge.
Operated from a centre in Lymington, it is staffed entirely by volunteers and relies solely on donations.
Many of the items – toothpaste, bread, baby food, soap - are donated by local churches and collected during occasions such as harvest festival.
The grant money will help to replenish the stock after the harvest donations have been distributed and the further instalments will be made to assist over the Christmas period and coming year.
During September and October Basics Bank has provided 116 parcels for those in need.
Cllr Jill Cleary said: “Basics Bank is carrying out vital community work by making sure those who are most in need have the basic essentials to survive.
It is important that we continue to support their fantastic work by further donations and I would urge others to do likewise to ensure that this organisation can carry on providing such a valuable service.”
Basics Bank distributes to areas right across the district from Fawley to Highcliffe up to Ringwood and Fordingbridge as well as towns and villages near the centre of its operation including New Milton, Hordle, Bashley, Barton-on-Sea, Lymington and Pennington.
Volunteer, Clare Bassett, said: “A number of requests come from the Ringwood and Fordingbridge areas, so it would be good if we could get more support to continue our work in these areas.”
If you would like to make a donation or volunteer your time, contact Basics Bank by telephone on: 01590 610008 or visit them at the rear of Our Lady of Mercy and St. Joseph Catholic Church,132 High Street, Lymington, SO41 9AQ.
The centre is open on Tuesdays and Wednesdays 10:00am -12:00 midday. |
