A CONVENIENCE store that suffered extensive damage following a fire two weeks ago has donated the majority of its food stock and essential items to Hope for Food.

The Bradpole Road Post Office and Best One shop suffered a fire in the early hours of Saturday, April 17, causing thousands of pounds worth of damage.

In its wake, owner Brin Kasi was forced to dispose of all the goods that could be salvaged.

However, with the help of a troop of willing volunteers, he spent the Sunday clearing the shop and saving all he could.

“I didn’t want to throw the food away so I thought it would be best to support one of the local foodbanks as there are so many people in need of food at the moment," he said.

"Everything that is not damaged we gave to them.

“Basically, there is smoke damaged food which we can’t sell but which is perfectly fine to eat. To throw it all in a skip would have been heart-breaking.

“A lady who lives up the road and works at Castle Hair Studios, Rachel, she is very involved with the food banks so I asked her what we could do to help.

“She has been very helpful, she and her fiancée came into the shop and had a look at what food we would be able to salvage. All of her family have been around to help package up all the food items and stored them at her house and Hope for Food came and collected it.”

Following surveys of the building by solicitors and the council, Brin was informed that he may not be able to reopen until the winter.

Bournemouth Echo: Bradpole Road post office have donated a large amount of packaged food items and daily essentials to Hope for Food following a fire at the convenience store on April 17

However, with the support of ward councillor Kieron Wilson, he said he is working get the shop back up and running as soon as possible.

“It has been a long process going through the solicitors. They think that the shop may be back up and running in four to six months, but I cannot afford to keep my doors shut for that long as need to keep providing for my family, as do my staff.

“We are starting to take funds for a light refurbishment as a temporary measure so we can open as soon as possible.

“The community has been absolutely fantastic. I would like to thank them for their support and for giving us the hope that we can rebuild this place again.”

Hope for Food praised Brin as a “community hero”, saying the food he has donated will help struggling families.

Bournemouth Echo: Bradpole Road post office have donated a large amount of packaged food items and daily essentials to Hope for Food following a fire at the convenience store on April 17

Its secretary, Mary Duncan, said: “We were very pleased to receive such a generous donation from Brin. It is wonderful that he could think of others at what must be an exceptionally difficult time for him.

“We are currently providing food parcels for over 150 struggling families as well as running a community meal twice a week for the homeless.

“Brin’s donation has helped with both of these efforts. It included a large amount of tinned and packet food which we need for the family parcels and plenty of drinks which we need for the homeless.”