HART District Council (HDC) has helped a charity through a project.

The Housing Trailblazer project gave out £6,000 to The Lions Community Store, which is based in Fleet, but helps out in many areas of Hart and Rushmoor, including Hook and Odiham.

The charity recycles redundant household goods, appliances, clothing and other items free of charge to benefit genuinely needy people in the area and thereby reduce unnecessary waste to the advantage of the environment.

The Hart District Council Homelessness Prevention Trailblazer was set up in 2017 to deliver holistic support for people who may be homeless or threatened with homelessness, with help that extends beyond simply addressing housing related problems, so that wider support needs can be identified and met.

Cabinet member for community services at HDC, Cllr Stuart Bailey, said: “The Lions Community Store will use this funding to go towards delivery charges to relevant Hart and Rushmoor residents and assist in purchasing essential small electrical appliances such as toasters, kettles, and basic microwaves.

“They will also use a proportion to support the Community Store’s annual premises and vehicle running costs. This funding is just one of a range of projects that has been successfully delivered by the Housing Trailblazer team.”

Founder and manager of The Lions Community Store, Beverley Allardice MBE, said: “The funding will greatly assist us in helping hard pressed families in times of increasing demand.

“We appreciate the work of Hart District Council in their continued efforts to publicise the need of donations and contributions into the charity.”