A charitable organisation which distributes food, clothes, and household basics to people in need was forced shut over concerns it is breaching Covid regulations.

Lewisham Donation Hub, run by volunteers, offers support to the homeless, people without recourse to public funds, refugees and other members of the community facing hardship.

Council enforcement officers visited their Lewisham High Street base this week, instructing them to close following complaints that their work was in breach of lockdown rules.

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A spokesperson for Lewisham Donation Hub said: “The unavoidable reality is that those in terrible hardship who had seen us as a beacon of hope will now be left with even fewer places to turn.

“Our 12 hour per day non-judgemental service will largely cease to exist.

“The people we have been proud to help and serve will now be the people we have to turn away.

“The refugees who arrive into our "Borough of Sanctuary" will also now find it to be a bleaker place.

“Their immigration hostel is full of the proceeds of your generosity.

“That tap is now closed. And of course, our local waste centres will be swelled with quality items that can no longer find homes.

“We will reboot - as we have done so many times. But we will forever rue the day that someone in our community decided to report us rather than speak to us.

“As we think of ways to continue doing good, please keep on doing it in your own way on our behalf.”

A petition calling for the Hub to fully re-open has already been signed by over 2,000 people.

The Hub makes use of community donations, distributing a variety of goods according to the needs of whoever visits.

Róisín Grasby, who launched the petition, says a mother escaping domestic violence was recently given a double pram.

The Hub has also distributed laptops and other electronic devices to children learning from home in lockdown.

Lewisham Council says it is working with the Hub's organisers to allow it to reopen in a manner that complies with Covid restrictions.

Cllr Brenda Dacres, Cabinet Member for Safer Communities, and Cllr Kevin Bonavia, Cabinet Member for Democracy, Refugees and Accountability, released the following statement:

“We really appreciate the valuable work Lewisham Donation Hub is doing to support some of the most vulnerable people in our community, especially during the current pandemic.

"We recognise that this work has been a real lifeline to so many people, including refugees and other migrants who face additional challenges in accessing support.

“Due to national restrictions currently in place any business or premise which is open must adhere to strict guidelines to ensure they are operating in a COVID safe way.

“We have asked Council officers to work with the Donation Hub’s organiser to find a solution that will allow it to reopen in a manner that complies with the restrictions.

"Council officers met with the organiser yesterday (11 February) and are liaising with him today.

“We are hopeful that as a result the Hub can reopen as quickly as possible.”

You can view the petition here