Mark Davis had reached his lowest ebb before he learned to make a real difference as a volunteer at the Basics Bank in Southampton. Claire Moriarty reports...

WHEN Mark Davis was turned down for a job after bosses said his cerebral palsy made him a "fire hazard," he gave up all hope of ever working.

It triggered a wave of depression that saw him housebound, isolated and lonely.

On some days the 33-year-old

couldn't even go out to the local shops for food.

But several months ago Mark began volunteering at the city's Basics Bank - and he's undergone an incredible transformation.

The bank, the subject of the Daily Echo's Easter appeal to make a difference, not only taps into the unseen well of poverty in Hampshire, it

radically alters the lives of its volunteers as well.

Mark, once a painfully shy recluse, is no exception.

"I left Itchen College at 17 with a good IT qualification and started looking for a job," said the computer whiz, who uses crutches to walk.

"I lived at home with my family, but going for jobs and interviews has always been a big problem for me. I wasn't getting anywhere.

"People used to tell me I was a fire hazard, that I had no experience or they used to tell me I'd be better off at home. I really wanted to work for myself, to work like able-bodied

people.

"But just because I am disabled, people were keeping me from doing what I wanted to.

"I have a brain like anybody else, so why shouldn't I use it?

"There is no excuse for telling me I was a fire hazard. I just got demoralised and stopped being bothered. I decided I might as well just stay at home, even though there was no future in it."

He spiralled into depression, and then his world was rocked again just two years ago when his mother Beryl died, aged 70, from cancer.

Mark, who had been living with his mum all his life, suddenly found himself lonely and homeless.

He moved into his brother's Southampton base in Leckford Close, Harefield, but became increasingly fed up with "looking at the four walls all the time".

It was then that his social workers suggested Mark could volunteer at Southampton's Basics Bank in Milliband Road, Northam.

"They accepted me straight away for what I am," said Mark, who now spends two mornings a week sorting donated clothes and food to be distributed to the city's poorest families.

"It's helped me come to terms with losing my mum a bit more. I've stopped taking the tablets for depression.

"This place makes you realise how lucky you are.

"People come in here for a tin of soup and you think it's amazing they can't afford to buy that.

"They come in here because they can't clothe or feed themselves.

"You don't realise, until you see that, how lucky you are."

Equally, the charity behind the Basics Bank, SCRATCH, owes its existence to its 80 volunteers.

At the moment, Southampton City and Region Action To Combat Hardship is run on an annual budget of £600,000.

Without the

volunteers, that would rocket to a staggering £1.5m.

SCRATCH chief executive Chris Davis said: "It's amazing just how much the voluntary sector gives to the city.

"A large chunk of health work is carried out by volunteers."

Daily Echo readers can help support the charity by donating tinned food, breakfast cereal, tea and coffee this month.

Our appeal, Back to Basics, aims to replenish supplies, which are notoriously low at this time of year.

The food will help make up five-day meal packages handed out in exchange for a meal ticket.

We want church groups, youth groups and businesses across the area to set up their own collection points and help make a difference this Easter.

Don't forget to tell the Daily Echo if you are getting involved in the appeal.

Call Claire Moriarty on 023 8042 4495.

To volunteer at any one of SCRATCH's community projects, telephone Paul Ozanne on 07711 446850 or the head office on 023 8077 3132.

BASICs BANK COLLECTION POINTS:

Daily Echo office in Hanover Buildings, Southampton

The Bargate shopping centre, Southampton

Daily Echo office in High Street, Eastleigh

The Swan shopping centre, Eastleigh

Lymington United Reformed Church, High Street, Lymington

Winchester City Church, 30-31 Jewry Street, Winchester.

The Basics Bank, located in Millbank Street, Northam, Southampton

Crisis Fareshare, City Park Industrial Estate, Southern Road, Southampton

The Dorcas project, First Avenue, Millbrook, Southampton

WHAT ELSE DOES SCRATCH DO?

Dorcas Project.

Furniture donated to the charity is dished out to those in need, in the same way as food is given out by Basics Bank.

A warehouse stacked with beds, cupboards, blankets, cutlery and chairs will be cleared in a month, such is the turnover and need for the project.

Basics Bank.

As well as giving out food parcels, clients are also allowed to choose items of clothing for themselves. Some school uniforms are available.

White Goods.

This is a relatively new scheme, gaining momentum every day. Freezers, fridges, microwaves and cookers are checked and tested before being delivered at a low cost to clients.

Community repaint.

Local paint retailers pass on their dented or damaged cans to the project, which them redistributes them to community groups, charities and churches.

So far, more than 200 litres of paint have been handed out.

Crisis Fareshare.

Scores of retailers such as Marks & Spencer, Sainsbury's and Unilever pass food which is heading out of date to Crisis Fareshare.

Volunteers immediately sort it out, and it's passed to dozens of Southampton agencies for homeless people - such as Basics Bank, St Dismas hostel and Patrick House.

In just three months, the charity can redistribute 50 tonnes of food that would otherwise end up in landfill sites.

Work Experience.

Youngsters join the SCRATCH team to learn about the job market, increase their confidence and improve their basic skills.

In two years, 60 people have gone through placements at the charity.