Firm donates cash to boost new Wigan initiative

The Bryn Support Centre, which is a new charitable organisation, has received £200 from housebuilder Bellway, which has a housing scheme in the area.

Working with Neighbourhood Food Larder, the support centre aims to establish a community food shop and food bank for residents in Ashton and Bryn who are struggling due to the pandemic.

It also aims to provide free baby essentials for parents who cannot afford these items.

The group, which has a tenancy at Bryn Veterinary Centre in Downall Green Road, will work with social services on a referral basis and charities to ensure the baby items go to those most in need.

The community food shop is open to everyone with all top brands food sold at 60 per cent cheaper than supermarket prices – and the group welcomed its first customers recently.

Money made through the community shop will enable the group to deliver the food bank service free of charge to anyone in desperate need. The food bank has an open-door policy.

Volunteers will solely run the support centre with Coun Steve Jones, who set up the project with residents, covering the costs through his funding as a councilor.

However, due to the Bryn councillor not being allowed to spend his funding on rent, he made contact with Bellway for a donation.

Coun Jones said: “I contacted several local businesses to sponsor the rent of the shop for the first six months and am grateful to Bellway for providing £200, kick starting the fundraising campaign, and for their attendance at the grand opening of the shop.

“Together with a number of residents, we are committed to helping those in need in the community. The food bank and provision of baby essentials are both much needed in Bryn and Ashton, and I believe the support centre will quickly become a welcomed addition to the town centre, helping residents during such difficult times.”

Lynne Duxbury, head of sales at Bellway, said: “We are delighted to have made a small donation to the Bryn Support Centre, supporting a new charity.

“With The Avenue, Bellway’s development of three and four bedroom homes, located just around the corner from the shop, we are very aware of the importance of community spirit and after four difficult months, it is a pleasure to play a small part in such a positive initiative.”