A MOTHER and her teenage daughter have praised the Swindon Foodbank charity for saving their lives.

The pair, who do not want to be named, had been living at a refuge in Swindon when they asked the local organisation for help.

The woman, in her 40s, had been subject to domestic abuse and had left the family home with her 13-year-old girl last month.

They were on the breadline and didn’t know where to turn until they were told about the service the charity offers the Wiltshire public.

The Foodbank gives people food and support when they need it most and in doing so helps to prevent disaster and poverty.

In a handwritten letter to the charity, the woman wrote: “I walked in the Foodbank hall with my token and my young daughter.

“I stood there and I felt like walking back out again, but then you came walking up to us and you were so friendly we even sat and had drinks.

“I felt so ashamed that I was in this situation I felt like I was going to cry. You were all so nice and you gave us enough food to last for weeks.

“I can’t thank you all enough for all the work you are doing and if it wasn’t for the kind people who donated the food and you for getting it and giving it out we would still be living on bread.

“Thank you. We will never forget.”

Foodbank project manager Richard Belsham said: “This type of letter to us is very touching and pleasing to know we have made a difference.

“We are here to help this type of person in a short-term crisis.

“We support between 10 to 50 people in Swindon per week.

“This can be people from a wide variety of backgrounds. It could be they have split from their partner or lost their job.

“Our help is usually given for up to three weeks and each case will be looked at on it merits.

“We get through half a tonne of food per week, which is about 13 to 15 supermarket trolley loads.”

A ball has been organised to raise funds for the charity. Dubbed the Strictly Come Dancing Foodbank Ball, it will be held at the Hilton Hotel, off the Great Western Way, from 7.30pm to 1am, on Friday, March 5.

There will be a 16-piece swing band and a DJ. The four-course meal is advertised as a black tie and sparkle event.

For more information about the charity, visit www.swindonfoodbank.co.uk.