A charity that helps people in need in Newquay held an “emotional” final day before closing down on Monday. (December 23)
Volunteers at the Drop In and Share Centre (DISC) at the Sandy Lodge Hotel in Hilgrove Road, handed out food boxes and Christmas presents.
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Trustees decided to close the charity due to a lack of funding, demand on its resources and no one stepping forward to run the business.
Manager Monique Collins decided in October to step down after the festive period as running the business has affected her health.
DISC Newquay, which started in 2017 and was awarded the King’s Award for Voluntary Service in January, has helped thousands of people in need over the years providing meals, clothes, Christmas presents, Christmas hampers, top ups for electric, tents, accommodation as well as various community programmes.
The number of people using the service went up by 50 per cent in the past year, from 2,000 to 3,000.
Christmas presents were handed out to more than 300 children on the final day. Many gifts were donated by individuals and businesses. The charity also gave out around 1,750 food boxes to ensure families can enjoy the festive season.
Three thousand Christmas presents were handed out on the final day ( )
Monique said: “It’s with heartfelt emotions that DISC has closed. It’s an end of an era.
“I want to thank all the volunteers over the years that helped us to become the biggest charity in Cornwall.
“We have cooked more than 1.5 million meals. We helped thousands into homes, gave out tents and sleeping bags when that was all we could do.
“We helped with school uniforms, gas, electric, tinned and fresh fruit and vegetables, moral s
