A CHARITY that helps vulnerable and disadvantaged people is in need of help itself.

Bolton Community Transport and Furniture Services are two charities rolled into one, selling donated furniture to pay for the upkeep of minibuses used to take pensioners and the disabled on trips.

The charity's second-hand furniture shop, called Kay Works, on Moor Lane, benefits a range of people from ex-offenders to women escaping domestic violence to people on low incomes who are trying to furnish their house.

Bolton Community Transport will pick up any donations free of charge.

General manager Diane Sandiford said: "We are always in need of decent furniture that some people might not want or like anymore but other people would really benefit from.

"In the showroom we have everything from bedroom furniture to sofas, beds and tables.

"It is only with donations from the kind people of Bolton that we can survive as a charity. If people don't donate, we have no furniture to sell.

"The money we make from the furniture goes towards funding the mini-buses, and because the vehicles are old, they are always in need of repair and, even though we are a charity, you still have to pay the same costs."

The charity also deals with white goods such as cookers and washers, but, under new Bolton Council rules, fridges and freezers must be taken away by the council.

But the charity could not operate without its volunteers.

Ms Sandiford said: "Our volunteers each give different amounts of time and we are constantly looking for van drivers and people to drive our mini-buses, even crew to staff the vans and help move the furniture."

The Kay Works showroom is open Monday to Friday, 9am - 5pm, and Saturday 10am-2pm.

If anyone wants to be a volunteer or wants to donate furniture, telephone 01204 364777.