A VAN FOR SOMEONE LOVELY
RAISING MONEY TO HELP SOMEONE'S DELULU COME TRULULU
A few years ago, I bought this van called Betty with big dreams of turning it into a little shop on wheels. But life had other plans. Time disappeared, a shed shop appeared, money got tight and the project never became what I'd imagined.
Rather than letting it sit and wait for "one day", I'd love to pass it on to someone who has the time, the ideas and the enthusiasm to turn it into something epic.
So instead of selling it, I'm trying something a little different.
I'm raising £2,000 through my limited sticker sales and donations to make giving the van away possible.
Once we've reached the target, one person who has applied for free will be chosen to be the new owner and give it the next chapter it deserves.
Let's see if we can make someone's delulu come trululu and give Betty the life she deserves!
WHAT WE HAVE RAISED SO FAR…
How it works
Help make it happen
Buy a special edition Going Somewhere Lovely van or sun sticker for £2.50 or make a donation if you're feeling extra lovely. Every sticker and donation helps move us closer to the £2,000 goal.
(Buying a sticker or making a donation is not an application to receive the van.)
Apply for free
If you'd love to become the van's new owner, fill out the free application form and tell us a little about yourself, your ideas for the van, and how you'd give her a new lease of life.
When we reach the target
Once we've raised £2,000, applications will close and myself with a panel of independent small business owners will read through every application.
A new adventure begins
One lovely applicant will be chosen to become the van's new owner and must be able to collect Betty from Cornwall within 3 weeks.
MEET BETTY
She’s not finished. She’s not perfect. But she’s full of potential.
Betty is a 1985 petrol Bedford van that I originally started transforming into a little shop on wheels. I had big dreams for her, but the project was bigger than I expected and as life does sometimes, things changed. The work was started but never finished and she’s now waiting for someone with the time, ideas and enthusiasm to bring her back to life.
At the moment, Betty is very much a project. She would need to be towed and fully renovated into whatever her next chapter looks like. Whether that’s a tiny shop, a camper, a creative studio, a food truck or something completely different is up to her new owner.
The good news? When she’s running, she drives like a dream. I still have the parts needed to finish the work, but I don't have the knowledge, time or funds to complete it myself.
Or maybe Betty doesn't need wheels at all... she could become a beautiful static space, garden room, studio, pop up shop or something nobody has thought of yet.
A few important bits:
1985 Bedford van
Petrol engine
Currently not running
Will need to be collected/towed
Tax and MOT exempt once registered as a classic vehicle
Betty is a blank canvas on wheels, waiting for someone to give her a new exciting life!
MAKE A DONATION
Thank you
Whether you buy a sticker, make a donation, share this page or simply cheer Betty on from afar, thank you.
I genuinely have no idea if this slightly delulu idea will work...
But if it does, together we'll have helped someone start an adventure they might never have thought possible.
And I think that's pretty lovely.
FAQs
What is A Van for Someone Lovely?
A Van for Someone Lovely is a little community funded project to help Betty, my 1985 Bedford van, find her next chapter.
I originally bought Betty with dreams of turning her into a little shop on wheels, but life had other plans and the project was never finished. Instead of selling her, I’d love to pass her on to someone who has the time, ideas and enthusiasm to turn her into something amazing.
How can I help make this happen?
You can support the project by purchasing a special edition Going Somewhere Lovely sticker or by making an optional donation.
Every sticker and donation helps us reach the £2,000 fundraising goal needed to make giving Betty away possible.
Does buying a sticker mean I get entered to receive Betty?
No.
Buying a sticker is simply purchasing a sticker and supporting the project. It does not act as an application, does not increase your chances of being selected and does not give you any advantage in the selection process.
Can I apply to become Betty's new owner?
Yes! Applications are completely free.
If you think Betty could be your next project, fill out the application form and tell us about yourself, your ideas and how you would give her a new life.
Once (and if) we reach the £2,000 target, applications will close and Betty’s new owner will be chosen by me alongside a small panel of independent small business owners.
We’ll be looking for someone who has the passion, ideas and ability to give Betty the next chapter she deserves.
What happens once the fundraising goal is reached?
Do I need to have bought a sticker or donated to apply?
No.
Everyone has the same opportunity to apply, whether they have supported the fundraiser financially or not.
What condition is Betty in?
Betty is a project van with lots of potential, but she is not a finished vehicle.
She is currently not running and cannot be driven. She will need to be collected by suitable transport/towing method and will need further work before she can be used on the road.
She is being passed on as a project for someone who is excited by the idea of bringing something back to life.
That’s the exciting part, that’s up to her new owner!
She was originally going to become a little shop on wheels, but she could become a camper, a creative studio, a pop up space, a tiny business or something completely different.
What could Betty become?
How quickly would Betty need to be collected?
If selected, Betty’s new owner must arrange collection from Lizard, Cornwall within 3 weeks of being contacted.
Can Betty be driven home?
No.
Betty is currently not running and cannot be driven. The selected owner will need to arrange suitable transport or towing.
Do I need experience restoring vans?
Not necessarily, but you do need to understand that Betty is a project.
Whether you have the skills yourself or a plan for getting help, we’re looking for someone who has thought about how they would bring her back to life.
Is there a cash alternative?
No. Betty is the whole point of this project. I’m looking for her next owner, not offering an alternative prize.
What happens if the fundraising target isn't reached?
why $2,000?
I’ll keep everyone updated throughout the project. If the target cannot be reached, we will communicate clearly what happens next.
Can I share this with someone who would love Betty?
Please do! The more lovely people who hear about Betty, the better chance we have of finding her perfect next home.
I'd absolutely love to simply give Betty away, but unfortunately I'm not in a position to do that. The money raised helps make this project possible while allowing me to pass Betty on instead of selling her. Anything left after the direct costs of the project will be invested back into Sun Made Studio so I can keep creating lovely things.
Betty is not a ready-to-go van. She's a project, a blank canvas and a chance to create something from scratch. She's looking for someone who sees potential rather than perfection.
TERMS AND CONDITIONS
A Van for Someone Lovely
Last updated: 05/08/26
These terms and conditions apply to the A Van for Someone Lovely project organised by Sun Made Studio (“I”, “we”, “us”, “our”).
By submitting an application to become Betty’s new owner, you agree to these terms and conditions.
1. About the project
A Van for Someone Lovely is a community funded project created to help Betty, a 1985 Bedford van, find a new owner who can give her a new chapter.
Funds are being raised through the sale of special edition Going Somewhere Lovely stickers and optional donations. These funds contribute towards the costs of making the project possible.
Purchasing a sticker or making a donation does not act as an application to become Betty’s owner and does not provide any advantage in the selection process.
2. Eligibility
To apply to become Betty’s new owner, you must:
Be aged 18 or over at the time of application.
Provide accurate and truthful information on the application form.
Be able to arrange collection of Betty within the required timeframe if selected.
Applications are open to UK RESIDENTS.
3. The application process
Applications are completely free.
Applicants will be asked to provide information about themselves, their ideas for Betty and how they would give her a new life.
Only one application per person is permitted.
4. Selection process
If and when the fundraising target of £2,000 is reached, applications will be reviewed.
Betty’s new owner will be selected by Luci from Sun Made Studio alongside a panel of independent small business owners.
The selection will be based on the information provided within the application, including the applicant’s plans, ideas and ability to take on a project vehicle.
The decision is final.
5. About Betty
Betty is a 1985 petrol Bedford van.
Applicants acknowledge that:
Betty is a project vehicle.
Betty is currently not running and cannot be driven.
Betty will need to be collected using suitable transport or towing.
Betty requires further work and renovation before she can be used as intended.
Betty is being transferred in her current condition.
The new owner accepts responsibility for all future costs, including but not limited to transport, repairs, restoration, insurance, registration and any work required.
6. Collection and transfer of ownership
If selected, Betty’s new owner must arrange collection within 3 weeks of being notified.
If collection cannot be arranged within this timeframe, we reserve the right to select another applicant.
Ownership will transfer once all necessary paperwork has been completed.
7. Stickers and donations
Sticker purchases are the purchase of a physical product and are separate from the application process.
Donations are voluntary contributions towards the project.
Neither sticker purchases nor donations:
Guarantee selection.
Increase an applicant’s chances of being selected.
Act as an entry requirement.
8. Changes to the project
We reserve the right to make reasonable changes to the project if circumstances outside of our control affect our ability to complete it.
Any significant changes will be communicated clearly.
9. Privacy
Information submitted through the application form will only be used for the purposes of managing the A Van for Someone Lovely project and selecting Betty’s new owner.
Personal information will be handled in accordance with our Privacy Policy and will never be shared or sold.
10. Acceptance
By submitting an application, applicants confirm that they have read and understood these terms and conditions and agree to them.
Thank you for helping Betty find somewhere lovely to go.