An appeal has been launched to buy a new catering van to help feed homeless people in Weymouth.

For more than 20 years, Soul Food, a local charity, has been providing hot food to the homeless people in the town.

Earlier this year, the charity’s kitchen was gutted in an arson attack at the Prayerhouse community church in Newstead Road.

The Echo previously reported how the fire-damaged church building is to be demolished by National Grid, which owns the land.

Now the charity has launched an appeal to raise £8,000 to buy a new catering van, in case National Grid sells the site and Soul Food has to move elsewhere.

Soul Food volunteer Josh White said that National Grid has allowed Soul Food to use part of the land on Newstead Road for the foreseeable future.

He said the current catering van is quite old and has been sat in the same place for years.

Mr White explained: “We are planning to get a van so we can move around. In the future there may come a time when we have to leave the site, so we won’t be constrained and can drive somewhere else.

“We have found a really nice van for around £8,000. Obviously, there’s things like insurance as well that we will have to take into

consideration. I am hoping my appeal to local businesses will be a fruitful endeavour and get some regular donations from businesses, who appreciate what we do.

“We are already at £1,352 which is amazing. We set it up on Sunday afternoon and it’s really positive how it’s gone.”

He added: “Hopefully we will have the money in next few weeks. The woman who owns it is really great and understanding that we are a charity and running on the mercy of the public.

“We run a homeless shelter four times a week – Monday and Wednesday evening and Thursday and Friday morning. For the past 20 years we have been providing food, clothing, hot drinks, advice and have become a friendly face to the homeless and vulnerable around Weymouth.

“We have got to prepare for the inevitable day that National Grid decides to demolish the building. At that point, hopefully, we will be able to put the van in gear and drive away.”

To support Soul Food’s appeal, visit the charity’s Facebook page.

You can also contact Josh White via email at josh@theprayerhouse.co.uk