A HAMPSHIRE landowner has donated £20,000 to a vital city charity.

Christian organisation Southampton City Mission (SCM), which provides emergency clothes and food to the city’s needy, will use the generous donation from Barker-Mill Foundation (BMF) to fund the basic bank warehouse for the next two years.

Established from funds provided by members of the Barker-Mill family in memory of their father and grandfather, Peter Barker-Mill, the Foundation makes around 80 donations each year across south-west Hampshire

A SCM spokesperson said: “As the demand for local foodbanks has massively increased, SCM has now taken on larger premises to hold the goods and meet the need for assistance in the city. The donation from BMF will pay the rent of the new premises for the next two years enabling them to continue supporting people in Southampton.”

Tim Jobling, trustee at BMF said: “We’re pleased to offer our support to SCM for a second year in a row allowing the charity to continue providing much-needed help.

“SCM are an amazing charity helping those in need who are closest to home. It’s important to remember that our neighbours and those around us may not be as fortunate as us, and it’s charities like SCM that ensure they have the basic needs many of us take for granted.”

The money will help the Southampton’s Basic Banks fund the central warehouse for the near future. It enables SCM to continue to feed people more than 8,000 times each year.

On behalf of SCM Andrew Ball said: “We’re thrilled to have received a second donation from BMF – we really value their support and it allows organisations like us to continue providing support to the local people that need it.

“The warehouse allows us to store more food and in turn feed more people in the city who are on the breadline. It’s a vital service that we’re proud to provide.”

It follows a donation last year from BMF of £8,750. If you would like to donate visit: southamptoncitymission.co.uk/donations.