A CHARITY on a farm which provides accommodation for people with addiction problems near Okehampton is fundraising to buy a new vehicle.

Bronwen Samuel, who runs the Gilead Foundations with husband Ian at Risdon Farm, said the centre’s old Ford Galaxy people carrier was on its last legs.

‘Usually we need to transport more than a carful of people, especially if we go out on an outing or off to church,’ she said. ‘Our seven-seater has been going for eight or nine years but it has finally got to the point where it isn’t economical to continue running it.

‘It is a bit of a warhorse, the one we have, and we have relied on it. We are about four miles out of Okehampton between Jacobstowe and Iddesleigh so we have to have transport to get anywhere.

‘At the moment we have got £2,500 towards another vehicle but we need to raise at least £5,000.’

The Gilead Foundations is a Christian charity offering supported accommodation to people with addictions as they integrate themselves back into society.

Those who come to live here will stay for at least 12 months and work on the farm, which gives them a routine and structure to help their recovery. At the moment there are eight men living on the site.

Visit www.gilead.org.uk or contact the charity on 01837 851240.