FOUR volunteers at Chester-based charity The Bren Project have celebrated donating over 2,000 hours of their time to the cause.

John Holiday, Dave Atkinson, Craig Steeland and Ian Roberts have each given over 500 hours to the charity, which helps young people with autism and learning disabilities into work placements.

During their donated time, the volunteers have helped beneficiaries at Bren Bikes, a bike recycling social enterprise run by the charity.

Graham Weaver, charity manager, said: "We're so grateful to our volunteers for all of their hard work.

"To achieve a 500-hour milestone is an incredible achievement, and testament to their dedication to the charity. It's because of our fantastic volunteers that we are able to support the number of beneficiaries we do."

Craig Steeland, one of the volunteers, said: "It's an absolute pleasure to give my time to supporting The Bren Project.

"To see the difference in our beneficiaries at the end of their work placements makes every minute worthwhile. I've been volunteering with the charity for three years, and look forward to helping more people complete their work placements successfully with increased confidence and skills.

"It is an added bonus that the work that we do refurbishing donated bikes helps to promote active travel, tackle air pollution and reduce waste."

The Bren Project is a Chester-based independent charity which supports and inspires people with learning disabilities and autism to develop the skills and experience needed to enter the world of work.

They promote equality of opportunity by providing their beneficiaries with bespoke supported work experience placements with ongoing one-to-one support, enabling them to excel and achieve their individual goals.

The Bren Project has been operating for just over 10 years, and three years ago it began its bike-recycling social enterprise Bren Bikes, which provides a safe and supportive environment for those beneficiaries taking their first steps into employment.