A CHARITY stalwart who has raised more than £100,000 for local causes can continue to serve his community after securing a new home for his bric-a-brac stall.

Earlier this year, uncertainty surrounding the Cubby community cafe in Newton Aycliffe led “Honest” John Hilton to question the future of his own charity, John’s Aycliffe Community Kitty (Jack).

Last October, the cafe, based in Greenwell Road, was given notice of Durham County Council’s plans to sell the site.

Volunteers at the Cubby remain confident a new home will be found for the cafe but, with no guarantees, Mr Hilton feared the worst and launched his own appeal for help.

Months went by and no suitable sites were found but last month Mr Hilton’s friend, Syd Howarth, of the Newton Press, came to the rescue by introducing the kind-hearted fundraiser to the team at Disc (Developing Initiatives Supporting Community).

The charity, which tackles deprivation and social exclusion, offered Mr Hilton a place at its More Time second hand furniture shop in Horndale Avenue and the 64-year-old could not be happier.

“I’m absolutely delighted,” he said. “I would like to thank Syd and his son Paul for their help. “Without their support I would have had to close the charity. I would also like to thank Valerie Wright, a Jack trustee whose support is invaluable and everyone at Disc.”

For eight years, Mr Hilton has donated the proceeds of his bric-a-brac stall to community groups, schools, clubs and voluntary organisations across Newton Aycliffe.

To date, he has raised £108,000 and last year alone he handed out £21,850.

The former musician was initially based in the town’s market but moved to the Cubby in 2013 when work started to improve Aycliffe Shopping Centre.

He plans to move in with Disc sometime over the summer, where he will trade from 10am to 3pm, Monday to Friday.

Until then, he will continue to sell his donated goods at the Cubby from 10am to 3pm, Monday to Saturday.

Liane Robinson, assistant director of employment and social enterprise at Disc, said: “Honest John does fantastic work in Newton Aycliffe and is well-known and much-loved within the community. “From our point of view his charity fits in well with the objectives of the furniture scheme and Disc as a whole.”