Southern donates roadshow van to Horsham charity

• Horsham Matters transforms rail firm's old banger into mobile service hub for local people in need

Charities in the Horsham area now have a new mobile service centre, following the extensive renovation of a van donated by Southern Railway.

The train operator had not been able to use the van, fitted out for promotional roadshows, since the first Covid lockdown. Stored in the open, it had become unroadworthy. Horsham Matters, a local charity supporting homeless and other vulnerable people in West Sussex, took on the challenging restoration project to get the vehicle back on the road.

The charity will use the revitalised mobile hub to support isolated communities across Horsham District. The former ‘rust-bucket’ will become a mobile advice and distribution centre for the foodbank that Horsham Matters has now been providing for 10 years, and to provide a range of services such as advice and internet access to help clients progress towards financial stability. Other Horsham-based charities will also be able to use the resource.

Before the pandemic, Southern had used the Citroen Relay van as a mobile information unit at a few local community events. By the time opportunities at such events picked up again, the firm had bought a new, larger and more versatile vehicle.

Having stood in all weathers at the Southern’s Horsham depot for four years, the older van’s bodywork deteriorated and became known among staff as “the rust bucket”. Some mechanical faults also developed, including an axle problem. While the well-equipped interior and engine, which had clocked up only low mileage, were in relatively good condition, Southern calculated that bringing the van back into use would not be economical.

However, before the rust bucket was sent for scrap, Southern’s community relations manager Rob Whitehead suggested that a local charity might be interested in doing it up. Rob asked several not-for-profit organisations that he has worked with in the area, and Horsham Matters took up the offer. With money raised from donations, and generous support pledged by local mechanics at Kevin Griffin Cars, they have been able to carry out a cost-effective renovation.

Although the van itself was showing its age, inside it is well-equipped as a mobile information booth with a fitted TV screen, an amplifier for a public address system, printer/scanner, steps, table and chairs, induction loop, leaflet rack, computer information unit and storage cupboard. The van is also fully air-conditioned. With the help of Hawksbourne Conversions, the new owner has spruced up its interior, including re-covering the rear seats and renewing other fitted furniture. Another local firm, Octotech, supplied and installed the new IT equipment.

To maximise the van’s value, the charity has also offered its use to Horsham’s Community Support Forum, which has around 25 member organisations. So far Citizens Advice, Christians Against Poverty and Age UK have expressed interest.

Emma Elnaugh, Managing Director of Horsham Matters, said: “Being able to provide this service to Horsham District residents experiencing hardship, especially the digitally excluded and isolated, will be vital to ensuring we reach as many residents as possible. We are so grateful to GTR for donating this vehicle, which will make this work possible.”

Rovin Vaz, Southern’s Facilities Manager for the south coast, said: “We’re delighted to help Horsham’s charity partners provide vital support for vulnerable people in the area, and we wish them many successful road trips.

"We would eventually have had to scrap the van just to make more room at the depot, because restoring it ourselves would have cost more than we could then sell it for. But Rob, our community relations manager, came up with the idea of donating it to a charity, made a convincing business case, and found a willing recipient. Apart from gaining a valuable asset at low cost, the work the charities can do with it has an estimated social value of millions of pounds.”

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Note to editors

For more about Horsham Matters: Horsham Matters Charity (horsham-matters.org.uk)