HYNDBURN residents struggling to afford a vacation are being offered the free use of a holiday home in Blackpool.

The Hyndburn Project raised £8,500 to buy a six-person static caravan at the resort’s Windy Harbour caravan site.

Organiser Joe McMurrough said the initiative has been a ‘huge success’ and is fully booked until Christmas.

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The Hyndburn project, which runs six charity shop across the borough, collects unwanted items on Facebook under the page ‘Free items around BB postcode’, which has 70,000 followers.

The items are then sold in the shops to raise money to help disadvantaged residents.

Mr McMurrough, 56, from Accrington, said: “The caravan was used for the first time at Easter.

“We bought it so that people who do not get holidays can go and stay there for free. It is for people who do not get holidays and do not get a break because they often can’t afford it.

“We do not make money from this enterprise. Within a few hours of putting it on Facebook, it was booked until Christmas.

“The caravan has been totally booked out apart from the out-of-season period.”

The caravan is available to book Monday to Fridays or Fridays to Monday.

From its bases in Accrington, opposite the town hall in Blackburn Road and in Richmond Street as well as others sites in Whalley Road and Mill Street, Clayton-le-Moors, the charity supports those in need. Mr McMurrough said: “We have scores of people who are desperate in all the areas around Hyndburn.

“It’s very sad to hear about them. There are young mothers who can’t leave the house because they haven’t got a pram.”

The Hyndburn project, helps to distribute large household items, which would usually cost hundreds of pounds, for free.

Residents can both request items and offer goods that they want to donate, including washing machines, fridge freezers and furniture.

He said: “We have the shops to provide residents with items such as prams, high chairs, sofas and everyday essentials as well as our online site.

“We also hire buses to take family’s on day trips.”

The organisation has taken more than 4,000 residents on day outings over the last two years and schedule community events such as an upcoming 1940s style party for retirees.

He said: “This year we decided to buy the static caravan so that family’s living in poverty can afford a holiday break away.”

It costs £3,400 to keep the holiday home on its current site as well as additional maintenance costs, which the charity is now looking to raise.