SIR Bobby Charlton was on hand to accept the gift of a new minibus on behalf of the Children's Adventure Farm Trust.

CAFT president Sir Bobby took the keys after the Cheshire Freemasons' Charity donated a staggering £55,000 to the children’s charity.

This enabled them to buy the fully-adapted minibus for transporting terminally ill, disabled and disadvantaged children to the Millington Adventure Farm for holidays and daytrips.

Provincial Grand Master Stephen Martin Blank was joined by Colin Ross and Derek Brook from the Freemasons and were excited to hand over the minibus to CAFT’s Nick Montague and Rob Bashforth.

The new vehicle has everything the charity could need to provide safe and comfortable transport for children from all over the region, including a tail lift for children with mobility difficulties, additional doors on both sides and removable seats which will allow space to accommodate up to three large electric wheelchairs.

Rob said: “We’re absolutely thrilled with our new minibus, it’s amazing. We really cannot thank Cheshire Freemasons enough for this generous gift.

"We’ve been desperate for this new minibus for quite some time now, it’s much more than just a vehicle to us, it represents independence, comfort and security for children living with disabilities and difficulties that most of us couldn't comprehend.

"We’re also grateful to Sir Bobby and Lady Norma for coming over to officially accept the bus on our behalf today, we have lots to be thankful for.”

Stephen Martin Blank, Provincial Grand Master said: “My members give generously to support the community at large, so we are very pleased to be able to have funded the new minibus for CAFT, which does an outstanding job supporting children in our community at a time when they are most in need.”

Contact CAFT's fundraising department on 01565 830 053 or visit caft.co.uk