A COMMUNITY hub for food and clothes donations was launched in Pill yesterday.

The venue, on 192 Commercial Road, was launched by voluntary group Pride in Pill (PiP), which has raised thousands for charities over the years, and has applied for charity status.

The hub will serve as a food bank, a place to donate clothes for the needy, and a base for the volunteers who do regular litter picks.

Refreshments were on offer at the celebratory event, with Mayor Malcolm Linton cutting the ribbon, saying: “This is a worthwhile cause, which I hope will be supported by the community.

“Well done to everyone, good luck, and I wish you well for the future.”

The hub will be a place for people to donate unwanted duvets, coats, and other warm clothes, as part of Wrap Up Newport.

This incentive aims to obtain warm clothes for vulnerable people, including the homeless, survivors of abuse, refugees, children in poverty, and so on.

So far 50 duvets and ten bags of clothes have already been donated to the cause, including donations from Newport City Homes.

PiP chairman, Paul Murphy, who has won 15 awards, including an MBE, for his hard work to improve the community, explained: “Pill has had a bad name for years and we are trying to make this better.

“We are mostly self-funded, and the PiP group is run by volunteers, which we need more of. We are always open to new people getting involved.”

The hub will also house Equallet Training Solutions, a beacon for people to take small community classes, offering them useful training in multiple areas

As there is a shortage of volunteers right now, people should check social media to see when the hub is open, or they can contact Paul Murphy to arrange a convenient time.

If you’re interested in volunteering, either by helping with the hub, or joining them on their litter picks, you can contact Paul Murphy on: 07775 449683.

To find Pride in Pill on Facebook, search: @pamurpaol