CELEBRITY farmer Jimmy Doherty has teamed up with a Cambridgeshire charity in an attempt to secure £2million worth of funding to develop a farm offering free breaks to disabled people and their families.

Cambs Times: Jimmy Doherty with Luke and his familyJimmy Doherty with Luke and his family (Image: Archant)

The TV presenter wants to convert a 16th Century farm in the heart of the Welsh countryside into an accessible place where the Papworth Trust, a Cambridge-based charity which provides activities for disabled teenagers, can offer short breaks.

The project features in the TV series, The Secret Millions, which sees the Big Lottery Fund (BIG) team up with Channel 4 to highlight radical ideas for tackling some of Britain’s big issues.

The projects are secretly assessed by BIG and if successful they can turn their ideas into reality with a share of The Secret Millions £10 million funding pot.

Doherty offers his own farm to families needing respite, teaching them new skills such as making and selling their own ice cream together so they can share quality time without the stress of their everyday caring routine.

One of the teenagers Jimmy chooses to take part in the trial is 19-year-old Luke from Peterborough. Luke has Down’s Syndrome and was joined by his parents for a stay on the farm.

During the filming Doherty volunteered at one of the Papworth Trust Youth Clubs.

Adrian Bagg, Papworth Trust chief executive, said: “At Papworth Trust we understand the impact disability can have. It can be hard to have quality, stress free time together as a family.

“Secret Millions gave us the chance to offer short breaks with a difference to families who needed them. It was an amazing experience for the people involved and it made a real difference; we’re hoping that we will be able to offer funded breaks to more families across the UK.”