SINCE we opened the re-sited drop-in centre, there has been a very surprising response from Wiltshire Times readers in the way of financial donations and requests to be enrolled as volunteers to the drop-in centre in the future.

It is interesting that many people out there who receive the annual fuel allowance from the Government have contacted us saying that their personal financial situation is very sound and that they would prefer the allowance to go to someone else more needy; so they have donated their allowances to us to help run this much needed service.

Financial help is a constant problem, and we depend on the generosity of others to keep us afloat. If anybody would desire to support us financially, then we ask that they would contact us for the details of payment. We will send via email the necessary Bankers Order forms and Gift Aid forms for long-term support. If, however, the donation would be on a one-off basis, then please come into the centre at the Salvation Army Citadel in Castle Road and speak to us personally, and see first-hand the work we do. Any donation may also be sent to us at the following address: Rev R B Dearlove, Centre Manager & Chaplain, Breakthrough Trowbridge Drop in Centre, c/o The Salvation Army, Castle Street, Trowbridge, BA14 8AR or contact me personally on e-mail: barrie@breakthroughtrowbridge.co.uk Breakthrough Trowbridge also wishes to thank the Salvation Army for its generous help in allowing us to use its premises at such short notice and with a willing heart in this battle against homelessness and poverty. Also we cannot forget our volunteers without whom Dorothy and I would have great difficulty providing such a service; and to the small businesses and larger companies who constantly donate goods to us throughout the year; a heartfelt “thank you very much” from us on behalf of all our service users.

Finally I would like to reiterate that every penny you donate is used for the provision of food and shelter for not only the homeless people in our town, but also for the people who find themselves alone after bereavement of one kind or another who have begun to drift into the centre for a short time spent with others to kill the loneliness of their daily lives; not a penny is used for salaries or administration.

Rev R B Dearlove, The Salvation Army, Trowbridge