New Forest Basics Bank in Lymington receives coveted King’s Award for Voluntary Service

A LYMINGTON food bank which helps to feed around 100 families a week has been honoured for its work with coveted award from the King.

New Forest Basics Bank is one of five volunteer groups in Hampshire picked to receive the King’s Award for Voluntary Service. It is the highest award a local voluntary group can receive in the UK, and is equivalent to an MBE.

The coveted national honour, which recognises outstanding contributions made to local communities by volunteer groups, was created in 2002 to celebrate Queen Elizabeth II’s golden jubilee.

Following his accession to the throne, His Majesty shared his desire to continue the awards, with 262 winners this year, all of which were nominated by the public.

Commenting on the honour, New Forest Basics Bank chair Oliver Stanley told the A&T he was “absolutely thrilled”.

He added: “I am incredibly proud of all our volunteers – we have 280, and nobody is paid. I am so proud of our day-to-day operations and through new initiatives we have taken with food larders and our ability to help other parts of the community.

“I am particularly proud of being an organisation in this day and age that says ‘yes’, almost regardless of circumstances.”

He added the “supportive” board of trustees, state-of-the-art technology and “generous donors” – to whom the organisation is “incredibly dependant on” – helped make the operation run smoothly.

Back in 2004 New Milton-based church pastor John Begbour recognised there were people in need in his community, so he started by keeping a supply of food items in his own garage that he could hand out when needed.

The need expanded, and Churches Together in Lymington and Pennington got involved. With the support of their generous congregations, the food bank was formed, and the United Reform Church provided an upstairs room as a store and distribution centre.

In 2007 it moved into a temporary building at the bottom of the high street before, in late 2009 with the help of the town council, a temporary five-year permit was granted for a cabin at the back of United Reformed Church.

As time went on and the demand for assistance grew, the New Forest Basics Bank became a registered charity in 2014. The occupancy permit was extended once for another five years, but it became clear a new location with a larger building was needed.

After permission was secured and funds raised, a new building was installed in Cannon Street East car park, which opened in March 2020.

Although food parcels can be collected, most are delivered across the district by a team of drivers.

The group will receive a certificate signed by His Majesty and a commemorative crystal award presented by Lord-Lieutenant Nigel Atkinson at a special ceremony. Group representatives are also invited to a royal garden party at Buckingham Palace next summer.

Commenting on the award, Mr Atkinson said: “It’s a tremendous achievement to be recognised for making an outstanding voluntary contribution to the fabric of our communities.

“I am delighted that this year five volunteer groups across Hampshire are receiving the King’s Award for Voluntary Service for the work they do in providing foundational services that ensure our people, communities and heritage thrive. The award provides a unique opportunity to raise awareness for their essential work and I look forward to celebrating their achievements.”

For more information about the food bank visit www.basicsbank.org.uk