A CHILDREN’S charity is appealing for help after its vital van broke down and will cost £1,500 to repair.

Swindon Scrapstore, an environmental social enterprise which recycles old furniture, needs help to get its 12 year-old van back on the road.

The charity says the van is essential to its core service and transports more than 100 tonnes of materials each year to schools, community groups and local businesses.

Project manager Olivia McCann said: “Following our recent premises relocation in February we used up our financial reserves refurbishing the building to make it fit for purpose, so we do not have the funds available to pay the £1,500 repairs to the van.

“We are appealing to the local community to help us raise the funds needed to repair the van or if a local garage would be happy to do the repairs free of charge we would be happy to put their company logo on the van to provide them with some promotion in return.

“To purchase a new van it would cost us about £12,000.

“We are currently fundraising to buy a new van and we have raised £1,400 towards our target amount but this money is restricted so we are unable to use it to cover the repairs.”

Scrapstore also provides work placement opportunities for the long-term unemployed and using the van to transport resources provides work placement opportunities for 36 people a year.

Scrapstore has a smaller van part-funded by the Adver’s Gannett Foundation but the broken down van is needed to transport larger items.

The Scrapstore Reuse Centre is open on Tuesdays, Wednes-days, Thursdays and Fridays between 10am and 4pm and every Saturday 10am to 2pm.

If you would like to donate items or money towards the van appeal contact the Scrapstore direct on 01793 513982 or email swss@scrapstore.co.uk.