A VOLUNTEER has been praised for his fundraising efforts to benefit a project supporting the homeless in Basingstoke.

Tristan Noon completed the Mid Sussex Triathlon on June 9 in aid of the Camrose Centre, a cause that he has been helping for a year.

The 24-year-old raised of £815 for the centre.

He completed last year’s triathlon for Animal Free Research, which undertakes medical research with is not tested on animals, after his grandfather’s cancer diagnosis and this year selected the Camrose Centre for homeless and vulnerably housed people due to his passion for helping the homeless.

He bested his event record from last year, completing the running, swimming and cycling competition nine minutes faster than previously.

Managing trustee at the Camrose Centre, Mike Browning, said: “This is a terrific amount for Tristan to raise, and we are very grateful for his help with this.

“It costs us £500 to open the centre for one day, so with this money, it’s almost enough to open for two extra days.

“While we do get a grant from Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council to open one day a week, we rely on generous donations and volunteers for the rest of the time.

“Like Tristan, the people of Basingstoke are wonderful, and people really like to help, and they are very enthusiastic and helpful.”

Tristan has been helping out at the Camrose Centre for around a year, taking time out to volunteer at the Church Square-based centre as well as bringing in useful clothing for the use of people at the centre, as well as food and other useful items for the charity to use.

Tristan’s fundraising page from the Mid Sussex Triathlon is still taking donations.

For more information or to donate to the cause, go to justgiving.com/crowdfunding/tristannoon.

Donations can made at localgiving.org/Camrose.