A CLEVEDON-BASED charity helping people facing addiction, homelessness, and mental health issues, is looking to raise £35,000 to buy a new van and keep its services running.

Changing Lives Charity is raising funds to replace a van that is essential for their delivery and collection services, as well as waste disposal work for North Somerset Council.

The charity, established in 2015, supports individuals facing challenges like offending, addiction, mental health issues, or homelessness.

Their work includes providing life and work skills through their Volunteer Plus Programme, and they rely on these vans to continue their community services.

With this fundraiser, the charity is aiming to raise £35,000 to purchase a new van and keep their services running.

The online fundraising page can be found here.

A spokesperson said: “Changing Lives Charity has been active in the North Somerset area since 2015, focused on helping people who face significant hardships such as addiction, trauma and mental health issues.

“We have a transformative program called ‘Volunteer Plus’, which supports and teaches essential skills to those in need, as well as Andrew House, a communal house which provides a nurturing and safe space for up to eleven men at any one time.

“However, we are currently dealing with a setback.

“One of our trusty old vans has sadly reached the end of its life, and replacing it is vital for the charity’s operations.

“This van plays a crucial role in our collection and delivery services and also helps us to manage the safe and responsible disposal of ‘bulky waste’ items on behalf of North Somerset Council - both of which raise important funds for the charity’s work, whilst also providing valuable work experience opportunities for the people we support.

“Without this van, we risk losing the ability to provide these important services.

“To this end, we’ve set up a GoFundMe page to raise the funds required to replace our poorly van, so if you’re able to support us with a donation (however large or small) we would be eternally grateful for your contribution will enable us to continue doing our vital work.”

The online fundraising page can be found here.