Three Swindon charities have been given a boost in a bid to tackle food poverty.

Swindon Food Collective, Big Breakfast Plus and Swindon Night Shelter have all received a £12,000 donation from car manufacturer Honda.

Each year, Honda treats its 3000-strong work force to a festive meal ahead of the factory’s Christmas shutdown. However, with Covid-19 restrictions not allowing for this, the Swindon-based company gave the money to local charities instead.

Rosemary Curtis, Chair of trustees at Big Breakfast Plus, said: “We were thrilled and overwhelmed by this unexpected donation. The generosity and goodwill of the community is really important to small local charities like ours - and, more importantly, to those who we support. We’ve struggled to help them since the initial lockdown in March, so this amazing donation will enable us to explore alternative ways in which we can relaunch our service, while helping to secure our future, while we’re still needed.”

Jason Smith, Director at Honda of the UK Manufacturing said: “Food poverty is a big concern across the UK and we’re proud to be able to support these charities and the brilliant work they do. Through initiatives such as this, Honda is committed to supporting the Swindon community now and beyond factory closure in July 2021.”

Dan Read, Operations Manager of Swindon Night Shelter, said: “I am incredibly privileged to accept such a generous offer of financial support, thank you Honda for entrusting your funds to our team. With your help Swindon Night Shelter can now bring forth another aspect of its wider vision, and in doing so bring a new hope to even more people suffering the many aspects of poverty in our town.”

The charities were selected for their aim of tackling food poverty and deprivation within the Swindon area.