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Kevin Whitehorn joins in with cheers with Potterne Youth Club for his new van

YOUTH worker Kev Whitehorn says his new van is a dream come true.

The Gazette & Herald spearheaded a campaign to buy a new van for Mr Whitehorn as his employers, the charity Youth Action Wiltshire, did not have the cash.

Mr Whitehorn's previous van was 11 years old and had clocked up more than 100,000 miles.

The appeal was launched last March and in November £9,889.86 had been raised by companies, organisations and individuals.

The Gannett Foundation, the charitable arm of the Gazette & Herald, gave a grant of £4,500, Sarsen Housing Association gave £3,000 and West Kington Nurseries near Marshfield raised £944 from sales it held.

The logos of all three organisations are featured on the new van together with Keith Lye, whose garage in Melksham carried out some repairs on the previous van free of charge.

Mr Lye bought the new van, a Ford Transit Connect, at an auction in Nottingham for just under £10,000, with only 1,400 miles on the clock.

Mr Whitehorn said he has been using the new van for a month.

He said: "I took some kids to a pool competition on Sunday. In my old van I couldn't transport kids, just equipment. In the new van I can take equipment and young people, if needed.

"If we are not transporting kids the three seats in the back fold down to give extra space for equipment.

"The van is much bigger inside than my old van and has greater height. It also has side loading doors, power steering and air conditioning. The old van's heater didn't work."

Mr Whitehorn thanked everyone who contributed to the appeal.

He said: "We are so grateful for everyone's support.

11:35am Thursday 28th February 2008

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