EXPANSION could now be on the horizon for one Bordon charity which had faced closure in September.

The Furniture Helpline, located on Woolmer Industrial Estate, is now fighting fit having bounced back from a string of bad luck.

Armed with a new van - an essential tool of the trade, the Furniture Helpline is running smoothly once more and business is booming.

The charity was able to fight its way back from near closure after a National Lottery grant of £30,000 allowed them to purchase a replacement van, and secure the charity's future.

The Furniture Helpline is a charity designed to help people struggling with poverty. The organisation collects unwanted furniture and white goods (electrical appliances) and renovates them before giving them to people in financial hardship.

In August, it faced possible disaster when its van was written off in a road accident and vandals put its hire van out of action.

But finally, it seems the string of bad luck has ended thanks to the lottery cash and now the charity is busier than ever.

The new van has been with them for three weeks.

Gerald Robinson, the charity's general manager, said: "One minute I was looking at closure, the next I was looking forward to expanding. We want to widen the circle within the area that we serve and serve a little bit more of West Sussex.

"The new van has already delivered to 23 clients. It's getting very busy at the moment; we're about 15 to 20 per cent up on last year.

Pointing to the new van he said: "It was the big lottery grant that paid for this and that really saved our bacon. That (the van) will save in excess of 160 tons of furniture from going to landfill.

"It's been a good year and the challenges keep us on our toes."

The Furniture Helpline currently delivers to clients in Waverley and the whole of East Hampshire.

Mr robinson added: "By the end of this year, 600 people will have benefited, but it's more than that in reality as the majority of these are families, so you're talking about 1,000 people."

Mr Robinson cited a recent rush job as one of the charity's many successes. This week the new van provided 12 beds for two families of refugees in Grayshott.

He said: "We will be delivering the rest of their furniture shortly after Christmas. They will have the majority of their furniture needs from us. Now, at least they have somewhere to sleep."

The charity even allows clients to pick out the furniture which will go in their homes.

Grayshott Spa recently donated 30 beds which were shipped out to people within a week.

"It's extraordinary because we live in a well-off area of the country.

The Furniture Helpline also sells furniture to the general public, which helps fund the charity. It has the support of East Hampshire District Council, and about a third of its income comes from charitable trusts across the county.

As a sideline the charity sells antique furniture and uses the money to cover its running costs.

The charity, which has been running for 11 years, accepts donations of anything from vacuum cleaners to washing machines, curtains and kitchen supplies.

Mr Robinson said: "We always welcome donations of good furniture to pass on and we are always here to help anyone in the community that needs it."

Anyone who thinks they need the Furniture Helpline can go to them directly or be referred by the Citizens' Advice Bureau or their health or social worker.

As well as expansion, Mr Robinson's next venture will be visiting local schools to ask youngsters for design ideas for the logo to go on the side of the charity's new van. And Furniture Helpline is always looking for donations or volunteers to help with lifting, shifting, driving, office and reception.

If you could help with any of these tasks, contact the charity on 01420 489000.