Ashford, Middlesex – April 2023 – CarComm Coachworks Ltd, specialist commercial vehicle repairer, surprised the founder of their charity of choice, Sally Russell with a van donation.

The Cowshed, Hurst-based charity has been selected as the charity of choice by CarComm Coachworks in 2021.

Since then, the company has been supporting the charity by repairing and looking after their much loved van ‘Daisy’ (donated by CarComm Coachworks in November 2021).

As the demand for Cowshed’s support grew so did the demands on Daisy.

The charity was really struggling with just one small van at their disposal, plus Daisy was starting to need more and more repairs, which would take her out of use for periods of time.

The new van is much bigger and newer, complete with the Cowshed livery on both sides. Delivered by CarComm Coachworks Director Jason Mole himself, who commented:

“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 2021 and it has been well used.

“The new vehicle will be a bonus and help Sally and her staff reach even more people.”

As Sally Russell accepted the keys to Ermintrude, the name fondly chosen by the Cowshed’s growing community on Facebook, she said: “We were totally overwhelmed with this beautiful new van for The Cowshed. 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. When community come together it’s so amazing how many people can be helped – 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.

CarComm Coachworks are proud to be continually supporting such a vital charity, which is making an incredible impact to so many people.