Charity that helps vulnerable looking for new home

The charity provides essential clothing and items to people facing poverty in Wiltshire

A Trowbridge charity which helps vulnerable people is appealing for help after being told it has two weeks to vacate its HQ.

The charity Ruksak 45218, alongside other businesses at Bratton Place Business Centre, has been told the centre is closing.

All businesses and organisations have been asked to move out before the 14 June deadline.

Residents were informed via an email that said Trowbridge Park Ltd will shortly enter into administration and as a result of this "unforeseen circumstance" the licence agreement to occupy Bratton Place will be terminated.

The charity needs to find new accommodation for its huge amount of of stock

Several businesses operate at Bratton Place Business Centre, which is also home to the constituency office of the Conservative candidate Andrew Murrison.

Ruksak is a not-for-profit organisation which provides essential items for people in need in Wiltshire.

It provides bedding, clothing, toiletries, footwear, school stationary and other items to families.

Bosses at the charity are now trying to figure out how to move its stock, which fills the 4,000 sq ft (1,219 sqm) premises, to a new location.

One of the trustees, Richard Culverhouse said, “The news totally came out of the blue. We were totally sideswiped”.

Volunteers at the charity said the news has left them in a "predicament"

Volunteer Martin Gailings said the charity has been left in a "bit of a predicament."

"Unlike other businesses who have a few desks to move, we have 4,000 sq ft of stock to move," he said.

"In two weeks that’s going to be quite a proposition. We’re all volunteers, we’re not there full time."

Mr Culverhouse said the charity is currently helping dozens of families every week who find themselves in difficult situations.

“This is devastating news for all our service users,” said Mr Gailey

"To try and find a place that can offer us approximately 4,000 sq ft at a price that we can afford is problematic," he added.

“Until we can find a way forward, it’s a worrying time.”