A NORTH Yorkshire-based social enterprise has developed a three-pronged plan in a bid to buy a new vehicle for its charity.

Just the Job, based on the Gallowfields Industrial Estate, Richmond, is hoping to buy a Nissan Navara, to supplement its aging Iveco truck.

But although the organisation has received grants and donations towards the project it still needs to find more than £8,000 towards the £21,000 purchase price.

Manager Steve Biggs said: “Our charity and social enterprise caters for adults of varying abilities with special work-needs. Our members are drawn from Richmond and the Dales.

“In a way we have become victims of our own success. Our business - horticulture, gardening and logging - has grown to the point where we now desperately need a second vehicle if we are to progress.”

Mr Biggs, an enthusiastic cyclist, is now planning to enter the 101-mile Yorkshire Champagne Sportive covering part of the course of this year’s Tour de France Grand Depart in Yorkshire. The ride, in early June, starts and ends at Clapham in the Yorkshire Dales.

One of the organisation’s occupational therapists, Clare Atkinson, is training for the five-kilometre Great North Swim to be held on June 13 in Lake Windermere.

And supervisor Andy D’Arcy, a singer and guitarist, is learning 52 songs in 52 weeks. Half the money raised by Mr D'Arcy will go towards Cancer Research UK, in memory of his grandfather, Les, who died of bone cancer.

Mr D’Arcy said: “I’ve already made a start and my songs can be found on Youtube. I perform every song with my eyes shut to prove I’ve learnt it.

“It’s quite a challenge as my memory is rubbish but with my grandad’s inspirational words in my mind and the wonderful members of Just the Job spurring me on – I believe I can do it.

“I hope to do a public performance at the end of the year – with a selection of songs.

“My donation websites are localgiving.com/andydarcy for donations to Just the Job and justgiving.com/andydarcy for donations to cancer research.”

Just the Job can be supported by visiting https://localgiving.com/charity/justthejob/project/vehicle-funraiser.

Until March 31, donations will be matched up to £500 by the Peter Sowerby Foundation.