THE Olympic Torch may have been extinguished, but a Hutton-based charity for the homeless and needy is still basking in the glow from London 2012.
Lighthouse Furniture has amassed a bounty of items, including duvets, pillows, crockery and cutlery, after being invited to help clear the Olympic Village, in Stratford.
The charity was given around 100 duvets, 200 pillows, knives and forks, plates and kitchen items thanks to its link with London Reuse Limited, an organisation set up to increase the reuse of unwanted household items that would otherwise go to landfill.
The Tallon Road charity offers furniture and white goods at significantly discounted prices to those in need.
Manager Brian Darwood said: "This is a huge opportunity and will make a significant difference to the folk we help.
"It is so encouraging to know the Olympic legacy goes on blessing even more people.
"You never know, some of this stuff may have even been used by Olympic stars like Mo Farah or Usain Bolt."
He added: "Sometimes people in housing crisis are given council flats that have nothing in them at all, so they can come to us and we can give them the things they need to get them started.
"Later, once they receive crisis funds to furnish their flats, they can add to what they've got, or return and replace items that they have been given with those that they prefer."
The organisation was founded in 1994 by a group of church volunteers, but in 2005, after receiving a lottery grant, it was transformed into the charity it is today.
Last year, 150 customers used the charity, receiving around £44,000 worth of items.
Among them was a mother of five who was given six beds after fleeing domestic violence.
Mr Darwood said: "All our stock is perfectly adequate.
"It might not be new – although some of it is – but it is clean and functional and it does a job."
Last year Lighthouse collected more than 9,000 items and was able to reuse more than 284 tonnes of furniture and household appliances.
Over the past seven years, Lighthouse has prevented 1,295 tonnes of furniture and electricals being dumped.
He said: "It's better that we can use it rather than it being smashed up and going to landfill."
Some of the items acquired by Lighthouse will be going to local homeless hostels, one in Havering and another, CHESS, in Chelmsford.
Lighthouse welcomes donations of clean, good quality furniture and electrical appliances especially cookers, fridges and microwaves to allow it to help more people. Call 01277 222050.
Lighthouse Furniture is open to the public between 9.30am and 4pm Monday to Friday, and between 9.30am and 12.30pm on Saturdays.
