A SWINDON food bank has been given £1,000 by a housebuilding company to help it support people affected by Covid-19.

The Swindon Food Collective was awarded the money as part of Persimmon Homes Wessex’s Community Champions scheme, which gives away up to £2,000 every month to local causes.

The charity, which provides food to people who are facing a crisis or emergency situation, lost over 50 percent of its regular volunteers to shielding and self-isolation during the pandemic lockdown.

As a result three distribution centres had to close.

The donation will help to pay for core costs to keep the food bank running.

Cher Smith, Swindon Food Collective manager said: “Covid-19 hit us hard as a group. Overnight we lost more than half of our volunteers, however the need for our services soared.

“Donations like this are so vital and we are extremely grateful to Persimmon Homes Wessex for the support.”