The last year has been tough for many people, and anything that can be done to provide some respite is a welcome effort.

Consequently, Dorset and Hampshire housebuilder, Pennyfarthing Homes, has gifted several donations to help locals across the two counties.

In 2022, between New Forest Basics Bank (NFBB) and Ringwood Food Bank (RFB), over 150,000 meals were provided to more than 17,000 families. To continue providing for those most in need, NFBFB set a fundraising target of £16,000 to pack 650 food parcels. New Forest-based Pennyfarthing Homes donated £2,500 towards this target.

Similarly, the housebuilder has donated £2,500 to Ringwood Food Bank – crucial help for an organisation that helped 4,695 people in 2022, totalling over 42,000 meals for those who most need it.

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Oliver Stanley, Chair of New Forest Basics Bank, said: “It’s been a difficult year for so many people with food and energy prices impacting everyone. Helping to ease some of this for people is something we’re proud to do, as much as we wish our services weren’t needed.

"This significant donation from Pennyfarthing Homes goes such a long way to ensuring we can get food and other essentials to people in need across the New Forest.”

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Chris Lee, Chair of Trustees at Ringwood Food Bank, said: “No one should have to face going hungry, and we always strive to ensure we provide effective relief for food hardship and poverty.

"With the operation of the Foodbank entirely dependent upon volunteers and donations, Ringwood Food Bank has helped over 17,000 people since being established in 2013.

"This very generous contribution from Pennyfarthing Homes supports these endeavours with the funds provided helping to ensure our services reach those who need it most.”

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Pennyfarthing also donated £500 to the 158-year-old Verwood Concert Brass band to help pay for crucial repairs at its band hall.

Helen Dunnings, Chair of Verwood Concert Brass, said: “This is all in jeopardy as we need to save our band hall from subsidence, so crucial donations like this one from Pennyfarthing Homes will help us keep this valuable community asset going.”

Matt Dukes, Managing Director at Pennyfarthing Homes, said: “It’s been a tough year for the whole country, and as a Dorset and Hampshire local housebuilder, we wanted to do all we can to help the communities we work within.

"We’re a family business, and family values run through everything we do. We’re proud to support these fantastic organisations – we wish them all the best in their endeavours and look forward to supporting them in the future.”