STAFF at a Hurst-based charity have welcomed their latest recruit – a three tonne van called Ermintrude.
The brand-new vehicle was donated to The Cowshed by businessman, Jason Mole, who owns CarComm Coachworks in Ashford.
Sally Russell, who founded The Cowshed, said she and her team were “completely blown away” when Jason turned up with the van.
“I had just returned to the office and saw Jason in the car park and this shiny van complete with The Cowshed livery livery parked beside him,” she said.
“Jason donated our current van which is getting on a bit but he does all the repairs and MoT so it is still in great condition. To give us a second vehicle is so very generous, and we can’t thank him enough.”
Sally said the original van is called Daisy and she felt Ermintrude would be a suitable name for the latest addition.
“We have just moved to a new referrals process where we are in contact with most of our clients to see how we can tailor our support to meet their individual needs and to help our referrers we have moved to a mainly delivery service, so this van could not have come at a better time,” she added.
“When community come together it’s so amazing how many people can be helped. All of us at Cowshed just want to say to Jason, thank you for being so awesome, we are lost for words.”
Sally founded the Cowshed in 2018, and its work has expanded in recent years with the covid pandemic and cost of living crisis.
The charity provides a wide range of free items such as toiletries, bedding, curtains and clothes to individuals and families who are referred by food banks, health visitors, schools and churches.
It has a drop-in donation centre on Bennet Road in Reading, as well as its Hurst base in Sandford Lane.
Jason and his wife, Rebecca, have been involved with The Cowshed for a number of years: “Rebecca is the fundraising manager and I do small jobs like helping at fetes.
“The Cowshed is a much-loved organisation with people who really care about others. When you see the work they do and the number of people they help, it is just amazing. My business has been doing well and I knew I had to give something back and I couldn’t think of a better group of people to help than the Cowshed.
“We donated the first van back in 2011 and it has been well used.
“The new vehicle will be a bonus and help Sally and her staff reach even more people.”
The charity has also been appealing for help to stock up on double buggys – and Wokingham residents have been generous in their support.
A note on The Cowshed’s social media reads: “We cannot express our gratitude enough. We received 10 double prams – both brand new and preloved – and an incredible donation of £800 from the Wokingham Lions Club.
“Thanks to the amazing generosity of the Wokingham Lions and our community, we have been able to clear our entire waiting list for double prams.”
The note continued: “Your kindness has made a real difference in the lives of local families who were struggling to leave the house or hotel they are living in due to a lack of suitable equipment.
“The prams will help provide these families with the means to get out and about, helping to improve their wellbeing and quality of life. It is heartwarming to see how our community has come together to support each other in times of need.”
For more details, or to offer help to The Cowshed, log on to: www.thecowshed.org
