A CLOSED leisure centre has donated its surplus food and drink supplies to a charity amid the coronavirus outbreak.

Oasis Leisure Centre staff made up baguettes and sandwiches along with donating fruit, vegetables and milk from the centre’s café to Swindon’s Caring Hearts charity.

The centre has shut its doors on Friday, March 20 following the government advice for all restaurants, cafés, pubs, leisure centres, clubs and gyms to close.  

General manager of the Centre Max Wilshaw said: “ The Government announced the closure of gyms and leisure centres with immediate effect.

“That meant our café had a significant amount of fresh produce that would have gone to waste if we couldn’t find a good home for it.

“We were delighted to be able to support the homeless of our town, through Swindon’s Caring Hearts. It’s a time for pulling together and doing what we can for the local community.”

The charity provides food and basic essentials to the homeless and rough sleepers in the town.

Volunteer for Swindon’s Caring Hearts Joanne King added: “We are hugely grateful for the donation we received from the Oasis Leisure Centre team and would call on any businesses who have been forced to close in recent days, but have fresh produce in stock that would otherwise go to waste, to donate it to one of the many worthy charities and foodbanks in the town.”