Basics Bank, food and hygiene items for the poor and needy of Lymington


	NEW FOREST BASICS BANK

Basics Bank provides a vital social service to the community in Lymington and the New Forest. We urgently require new accommodation by mid 2009 at the latest, please can you help us raise funds for the building?


	2009 is an important year for the New Forest Basics Bank as it has launched its new Building Fund Appeal as part of the Lymington URC Open Door Project. The new proposed "storage and distribution centre" is to be used exclusively by the Basics Bank on the site of the Lymington URC and work in collaboration with the Open Door Project. The aim is to give the organisation its own identity and a comfortable environment for its clients and volunteers who will of course also be welcome to take advantage of the facilities available in the new church hall. The initial design work for this solution has been done by the Lymington URC architects and will be funded as part of the Open Door Project. The estimated cost to complete the design work, procure and erect a suitable prefabricated building with a floor area of approx 40 square metres including site preparation, insulation, heating, lighting and finishes of the required standard, is going to be at least £25,000 Planning approval (08/92752) for construction of a wooden building behind the new church hall at the Lymington United Reformed Church was granted by the New Forest District Council on 13 November 2008. Since the site for the new building is in a conservation area where further development is subject to very strict controls, the planning consent given for it deviates from current council policy and is therefore designated as temporary with a with an initial duration of 5 years. In granting permission the council states that it has made this exception to its current planning policy in recognition of the value of the service that the Basics Bank provides to the community, and this is also evidenced by the many letters of support received by the New Forest District Council in relation to the application.


	The Basics Bank scheme provides basic food and hygiene items to the desperately poor.

Read a 'Top Story' on the New Forest District Council web site


	WE URGENTLY NEED YOUR SUPPORT


	Perhaps you can help support us by sending a donation, cheques/payments can be made out to the "New Forest Basics Bank" and sent to Helena Carr - Fund Raising Officer, New Forest Basics Bank, Lymington URC Open Door Project, High Street, Lymington, Hants, SO41 9AG. Further details can be obtained by contacting us on 01590 610008 or visiting www.lymurc.org.uk PLEASE CLICK HERE FOR A LIST OF SPONSORS AND FUND RAISERS


	Community Initiative Scheme


	Cllr Paul Woods, the current Chairman of the New Forest District Council, recently took time from his busy schedule to visit and support the New Forest Basics Bank. A presentation was given about the plans for the new Basics Bank Distribution Centre. Cllr Woods was updated on the current fund raising efforts to reach the £25,000 target needed to build the centre at the Lymington URC Open Door Project site, which will give a totally integrated community project centrally located on one site.


	Picture shows Poppy Swaap (Waitrose Community Initiative Scheme Coordinator) presenting a cheque for £280 to Peter Haslett (BB Treasurer) on the 07/05/09.


	Basics Bank thanks the Inner Wheel of Lymington for their kind donation of £50 to help support food on the shelves. We are most grateful for this, especially at a time when stocks are low - it will certainly be put to good use!


	The picture shows Cllr Woods at BB with some of the volunteers, the Rev'd Alan Green (URC), Elaine Fisher (Open Door Project Manager) and Peter Haslett (BB Treasurer).


	FOOD FLASH - STOCK LEVELS The New Forest Basics Bank still needs urgent donations of all food stuffs. All donations are very gratefully received but we do have large stocks of TUNA, PASTA, TINNED TOMATOES at present. So, please if you are thinking of giving, please take the latter in to account! However, we have lifted our embargo on BAKED BEANS!!


	You are invited to visit our THANK YOU section to see who is helping with the current building appeal.


	Desmond Swayne MP joined some Basics Bank volunteers recently in distributing food parcels to those local New Forest residents who needed the Bank's support! He was updated on the building funds, how Basics Bank works, why it exists and the social service it provides to the local community. The MP viewed the drawings of the new Basics Bank distribution centre which will be located at the recently refurbished Lymington URC and the Church's new community hall where the Open Door Project will operate. His visit included time on site to see the progress on the newly refurbished URC plus the facilities the church/community hall will offer to all.


	Basics Bank desperately need funds to continue with their essential work. If you would like to organise a fund raising event or make a donation please contact the Lymington co-ordinator.


	Desmond Swayne MP with Cllr Elizabeth Lewis & Marc Pidsley, URC representatives Jack Gordon, Gerry Copperi and Rev. Alan Green


	Desmond Swayne MP with Basics Bank volunteers, Cllr Elizabeth Lewis, Open Door Project Manager Elaine Fisher & Fund Raising Officer Helena Carr.


	Here are some Basics Bank facts from the 1st September 2004 to the 31^st May 2009, it has; Distributed over 2280 food parcels! Helped to feed over 4780 people/families which includes over 2260 children! Covered an area from Fawley to Highcliffe extending up to Ringwood/Fordingbridge! Developed and is continuously working with 57 partnerships and processing over 2125 referrals! Provide opportunities for over 40 volunteers including delivery drivers!