A Coalville charity arranged for a man's empty council flat to be furnished in just one hour after making an online appeal.

And they have praised the generosity of the local community who acted so rapidly despite the current Coronavirus crisis.

Feed The Need received a call on behalf of a man who had been given a council flat, but with virtually nothing in it.

The Hugglescote-based foodbank put a message out on their Facebook page Feed The Needat 8pm on Monday.

It read: "We have been alerted to an urgent emergency situation.

"Does anyone have any household items spare please? We are starting from absolute zero so anything would be appreciated. Pots pans furniture. Electrical."

And by 9pm, Feed The Need say they had been met with an overwhelming response which means the man now has what he needs.

Organisers admit they were staggered by the response which they say typifies the spirit of the Coalville people.

Coalville Nub News reported on the work Feed The Need are doing in the area in February Feed The Need is fighting poverty in Coalville

And treasurer Alison Parish told Coalville Nub News said this latest reaction was incredible.

She said: "Within an hour we'd got a flat virtually filled.

"During that time, we got a settee, wardrobe, chest of drawers, a TV stand, a microwave, toaster, pots and pans, cups and saucers, a bed frame, a double mattress, brand new duvet covers, brand new towels.

"And since then we've had a fridge-freezer and table and chairs, the guy has been sorted!

"He was given a council flat, but there was nothing in it."

Alison said the initial request was a modest one, but it grew from there.

She added: "We were approached initially for a food hamper, us being a foodbank.

"It came from a friend of his who was looking out for him and told us the flat had nothing in it. Did we know anyone who could help?

"I said: 'Leave it with me!'

"We put the appeal out and I was sitting having a glass of wine before I went to bed and suddenly I was in the middle of co-ordinating everything.

"I got up this morning to try and sort out who's donating what and how to get it delivered.

"A lot of the little things are being delivered to me but I was trying to get a van for the bigger bits. The promises were made within the hour, he should have all the furniture within a day.

"I couldn't believe it.

"The support we're getting from everyone locally has just been phenomenal. Both with financial donations and doing big shops for us in huge amounts.

"We also receive grants from the Leicestershire County Council communities fund which has gone a long way to help feed everyone."

Alison said that current situation has made life more difficult for the volunteers at Feed The Need.

She added: "It's harder, we've all got our families to look after and we have to be careful at the moment."