The Portsmouth depot of Covers Timber & Builders Merchant was delighted to donate supplies to Highbury College students to help them build bunks for The Rucksack Project’s bus renovation.
The Stagecoach bus is being transformed into a homeless shelter and will offer kitchen and toilet facilities on the ground floor and 12 beds on the upper deck. Once complete, the refurbished bus will be showcased to the public on Sunday 26th November between 12pm and 2pm at Fratton Park. It will then be donated to Portsmouth charity, St Agatha’s which supports the city’s homeless.
Year 3 Construction students at Highbury College spent time measuring the space on the bus before using the materials given by Covers to construct the bunks, which were then installed by Highbury College lecturer Russ Dugan. 
Joanne Vines and Sammy Barcroft from The Rucksack Project commented:
“It has taken 8 months to complete the bus. It could not have been done without all the local trades volunteering time and goods; the Portsmouth community have yet again stepped up to the mark! We wish St Agatha’s all the best for future.”
Dale Lambourne, Depot Manager at Covers of Portsmouth, added:
“Being able to support groups and projects in the local area is extremely important to us, so we were delighted to donate materials to The Rucksack Project. It’s a fantastic idea and we wish them every success with completing the renovation of the bus.”
The Rucksack Project was initially developed to deliver bags filled with everyday items, such as jumpers, socks, gloves, tinned food and toiletries, to the homeless. Approximately 10,000 rucksacks have been delivered to those in need in Portsmouth so far.