A FURNITURE re-use project which helps families across West Somerset has received its 10,000th item of furniture.

Engage West Somerset is a charity which supports groups across the district and the furniture re-use project is one of its initiatives.

In 2013-14 the project received 1,881 donations of furniture and enabled around 400 families on low incomes to buy good quality used furniture – saving a whopping 30 tonnes of furniture from going to landfill.

Now the project has received its 10,000th donated item of furniture since official stock numbering began in April 2007.

The donor, Lin Powis, and her partner visited Engage’s furniture showroom at Alcombe village hall on Saturday (March 14) when Engage’s manager, Katrina Midgley, explained how the charity operates.

Mrs Powis received a voucher for a meal for two at the Beach Hotel, Minehead, which had been kindly donated by the hotel.

Engage’s Mrs Midgley said: “We are delighted to be able to mark this milestone for the Furniture Re-use Project. It was a privilege to be able to tell Mrs Powis more about Engage’s work in the community.

“We would also like to thank The Beach Hotel for donating a meal for two in celebration of this achievement.

Their generosity has enabled us to demonstrate our thanks.”

Mrs Midgley added: “We were extremely grateful to everyone who has, and will donate furniture to this project. I would also like to thank my fellow staff, and our team of volunteers, without whom Engage could not continue.”