A CHARITY based in Somerset has received a donation of £1,300 from a farm shop near Wellington to help disabled people and carers have independence.

The funds were raised for Compass Disability Services, which is based in Taunton, by staff and customers at Rumwell Farm Shop and Cafe throughout 2019.

Anne Mitchell, joint owner of the farm shop and cafe, which is located on the A38 between Wellington and Taunton, explained: “Compass Disability Services was one of our chosen charities of the year for 2019 and we’re thrilled that we have managed to donate £1,300 to its cause.

“The money we donated was raised in a number of ways - from raffles, Charity Quiz & Supper Evenings to half of the proceeds from our 5p carrier bags. We also donated 10p from each pack of Bon Bons Sea Salt Caramel Fudge sold during the year.

“We would like to say a huge ‘thank you’ to all our staff and customers for helping us raise this fantastic amount of money for the charity.”

Compass Disability Services is a user led charity and its Board of Trustees is comprised of at least 80 per cent disabled individuals. The charity has adopted the Social Model of Disability as a way of working to remove barriers which exclude disabled people from equality of opportunity.

It also runs Compass Wellbeing, which is the first dedicated, fully-inclusive wellbeing centre in Taunton. It aims to offer a wide range of activities, therapies and experiences that benefit members of the community, promote integration and tackles the problems caused by isolation, exclusion and loneliness.

While the charity has a background in working with disabled people, the wellbeing centre is open to people of all ages and abilities and boasts a café, a small garden area, hydro pool and sensory room.

Rachel Bye, Business Development Manager at Compass Disability Services, said: “We’d like to say a huge ‘thank you’ to Rumwell Farm Shop’s staff and customers for supporting us throughout 2019.

 “It’s been fantastic to be supported by a local family business and their customers and the much-needed funds will help us to deliver some great activities at Compass Wellbeing, where all ages, from birth to 100, are catered for.”

Rumwell Farm Shop is an independent, family-run, award-winning business owned by the Mitchell family. It was originally a potato store, when David and Anne Mitchell began selling their potatoes and free-range eggs at the gate.

Due to customer demand, the range of products soon increased, and the farm shop grew into the place it is today. David and Anne’s sons, James and Jack, are now also involved in the business, as well as daughters-in-law Sophie and Donna.

Rumwell Farm Shop has a traditional butchery counter selling free range pork and Aberdeen Angus beef reared just four miles away on the family farm. There is also a delicatessen, bakery, jam kitchen, food hall, wine cellar and gift room.

Home grown potatoes are also still available, when in season, as well as everything from fruit, vegetables and groceries to plants, flowers, gifts and cards.

Families are welcome to the cafe and there is a menu especially for children. The cafe also serves afternoon teas, carvery on a Sunday and is licensed to sell alcohol.