MP to launch van campaign for Bromsgrove's NewStarts

Buy photos » The charity hopes to raise £25,000 for a van similar to this one. s

A BROMSGROVE charity which supports homeless people and those in financial crisis or on very low incomes will today (Friday) launch an appeal to raise £25,000 for a new van to help it continue its much-needed work.

Town MP Sajid Javid will visit NewStarts in Sherwood Road at 11am to kick off the campaign for funding to buy a long wheel base Ford Transit 350 high roof van and fit it out.

The charity collects unwanted furniture and other household items and donates them for free or for little cost to those who need them.

The new van is needed because the demand for NewStarts has reached an all-time high.

The charity does have two vans already, but desperately needs to increase its fleet of vehicles.

In order to raise funds, a number of events will be held across the district over the next few months, with the first of those, a Neil Diamond tribute act, taking place at NewSong Community Church at 7.45pm on September 19. Tickets for that are £10.

Other events are being planned and details of them will be posted on the NewStarts website.

The charity is also looking for support from residents who would be happy to provide the charity with a monthly donation to support its work.

Nicola Martin, the chair of NewStarts, said having the new van would help safeguard charity's long-term future and enable it to continue offering its reliable service to those who need it, ensuring household items were collected as soon as they became available.

"The service we offer is, in many ways, unique.

"Families and individuals that are referred to us in their hour of need receive good quality furniture free of charge and we know that for many, it means the start of a new and more positive life," she added.

For more on the charity, events being held as part of the fund-raising campaign and becoming a donor, visit www.newstarts.org.uk, e-mail admin@newstarts.org.uk, or call 01527 882410.

Alternatively, visit the showrooms and office at 1 Sherwood Road, Bromsgrove. B60 3DR

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