Tears shed as Wigan charity helping people in need receives £20,000 donation

The manager of The Storehouse Project, which is based in Billinge, hailed the massive donation as “an absolute lifeline”.

It was selected to receive the cash by staff at Procter & Gamble in Pimbo.

The international firm has been working to support NHS employees, charities and other organisations during the coronavirus pandemic.

And staff and volunteers at The Storehouse Project were delighted when they heard workers at Procter & Gamble had nominated them for a cash boost.

Centre manager Julie Smith said: “I was crying on the phone. It’s unbelievable. It’s massive for us as a charity.”

Set up 13 years ago, The Storehouse Project helps thousands of vulnerable people every year by providing food, furniture, clothing and household items, mainly in Wigan, as well as in Skelmersdale and St Helens.

It also offers training and mentoring for people who are long-term unemployed or have mental health issues.

They receive referrals from the NHS, schools, social services and other charities and organisations.

Julie said: “The money will definitely make a difference. We are going to be able to help a lot more people and get things that sometimes we struggle to get.

“Sometimes we struggle to get beds for people and it’s very frustrating when we can’t get a bed for someone.”

The charity has continued to operate during the coronavirus pandemic, providing much-needed support, but did have to make some changes, such as closing its pop-up shop usually found at The Galleries on Saturdays.

Julie said: “From the lockdown we changed the way we did things to make sure we could continue to support people. Rather than having people collecting from the food bank, we started delivering.

“We also set up a helpline for the elderly and went to more than 30 of the care homes in the area to deliver toiletries, because the families couldn’t get in.

“We have worked with Children In Need to get things we couldn’t get, such as beds.”

Its income has been hit by the lack of fund-raising events held in recent months, so the donation will provide a real boost.

Procter & Gamble staff in Pimbo regularly support The Storehouse Project and were keen to make the huge donation to the charity.

Jane Thomson, from Procter & Gamble, said: “As a site, Skelmersdale Procter & Gamble are really keen to help the community in which we live and work.

“We have developed a strong relationship with The Storehouse Project over the years and it’s one of our local chosen charities for our site, for whom we provide much-needed product donations.

“Our decision to provide this monetary donation was based on the amazing work that The Storehouse Project does and its reach to so many people who are in need in the local community.

“They are hugely passionate and dedicated to helping to make a difference and we are truly committed to help them where possible.”