A GROUNDBREAKING initiative to help the homeless across Bournemouth was launched at a VIP charity event which raised £45,000.

Local charity Hope For Food has teamed up with the Churchill Foundation, the charitable arm of Churchill Retirement Living, to run the Clean Machine – a specially-designed van and mobile washing service, which provides clean clothes, food, and respite for the homeless.

The first of its kind to operate in the UK – and only the second in the world – the Clean Machine was unveiled at the Churchill Foundation’s celebrity golf tournament at Remedy Oak on Tuesday, June 20.

Ronan Keating, Willie Thorne, Paul Jones, and Luther Blissett were among the guests, along with compere Adger Brown.

The Clean Machine, which has been funded by the Churchill Foundation and will be run by volunteers, was the brainchild of Hope For Food founder Claire Matthews.

Its washers will run on short cycles so as many people can benefit from the service as possible.

The van will also provide somewhere for people to take a rest from the cold while they wait for their washing, as well as a microwave so they can enjoy a hot meal.

“We’re incredibly proud to be launching the Clean Machine, it’s an exciting project that will make a huge difference to so many homeless people across Bournemouth and Southampton and the surrounding area,” Claire said.

“At Hope For Food, we aim to try and bring a little happiness back into the lives of people who, perhaps, through no fault of their own, find themselves without things most of us take for granted, such as food and shelter.

“The Clean Machine will transform the way we do that and enable us to help many more people, so we’re extremely grateful to the Churchill Foundation for their support.”

The £45,000 raised at the golf tournament will be split between Hope For Food and The Silver Line, a charity set up by Dame Esther Rantzen, an ambassador for Churchill Retirement Living.

Spencer McCarthy, chairman and CEO of the company, as well as a trustee of the Churchill Foundation said: “When we heard the idea for the Clean Machine, we were delighted to support the project. It’s the first of its kind in the UK and will really help Claire and her team to provide help to those who need it most.”