The charitable arm of Ringwood housebuilder Churchill Retirement Living has donated £2,000 towards new all-terrain vehicle for a therapeutic farm at Ferndown.

The money raised by The Churchill Foundation will help High Mead Farm pay for a new “Mule” to increase accessibility for visitors with disability or mobility issues to get involved with the farm’s wide range of activities.

The Farm was put forward by Customer Relations Consultant Vicky Swan, through the Churchill Foundation’s Small Grants Programme, to receive a one-off grant of up to £2,000.

Vicky’s brother Roger is a regular visitor to High Mead Farm who has benefited greatly from the activities on offer there and will be one of the first to make use of The Mule when it arrives.

Vicky said: “I’m delighted to have had the opportunity to nominate High Mead Farm for this donation through the Churchill Foundation.

“The Farm is such a fantastic place and a lovely relaxed easy-going environment; I love coming here and it’s easy to see why my brother Roger enjoys it so much too.

“The opportunity to potter around in the woodworking shed with other people is something he really looks forward to each week, and I’m sure the new Mule buggy will help him and others to get even more out of their visits.”

High Mead Farm offers a unique day service to members of the public living with mental health issues and physical disabilities including Alzheimer and dementia diagnosis, vision and hearing impairment, autism and Parkinson’s enabling all these people to engage in an array of interesting activities on the farm.

High Mead Farm’s Manager Mark Gregory said: “We’d like to say a big thank you to Vicky and the Churchill Foundation for the donation of £2,000 that will help towards our purchase of the new Mule vehicle.

“Most of our visitors have limited energy and the Mule will allow those that cannot physically get around the farm to be more involved with animal feeds, moving hay, helping with deliveries and other tasks to widen their experience.

“As it’s a working farm its very muddy which restricts access to certain areas. The Mule will increase the opportunity for those with disability or mobility issues to get more involved, allowing access to fields and paddocks to assist with the running of the farm.

“For those with dyspraxia, driving will also be great for coordination.”