Beverley Community Lift is celebrating the start of the transport charity’s golden jubilee year by taking delivery of its latest minibus.
It has taken the charity three years to raise the funds needed to buy the vehicle. As a result of the new arrival, this means the charity will maintain a fleet of five buses.
The 16-seater has been named Clover and is already in use within the community being used for shopping trips and outings.
Beverley Community Lift says the new arrival is a welcome birthday present. Founded in early 1970 as the Beverley Community Care Service, by a group of volunteers, they originally provided a neighbourhood street contact service across the town.
BCL started operating a minibus when one was donated by the Beverley Round Table in 1974.
The charity caters for people who struggle to use public transport by providing minibus trips for shopping and outings. It also operates a car service to help take people to medical appointments and social engagements.
The service operates through the goodwill of volunteer drivers based in and around the Beverley, Market Weighton and Pocklington areas.
In 2018-19, some 4,724 passengers used the charity’s services. BCL operates 14 door-to-door shopping trips in Beverley and the Wolds area and is keen to run more.
Beverley Community Lift Always Looking For Volunteers
Manager Fiona Wales said;
“It’s a terrific milestone to have achieved. Given how the charity started the minibus is a very welcome birthday gift.”
“There is a growing demand for what we offer. I pay tribute to the volunteers who have given their time so willingly over the last five decades.”
“It must have felt like a brave move to set up the service in 1970 and funding was equally difficult then as now.”
“We need volunteer help more than ever. In particular passenger assistants to help our minibus operations in the Beverley area. If you have some spare time to help, please contact us to talk it through.”
The charity is planning special events during the year to celebrate its golden anniversary. These include a coffee morning at St John’s Methodist Church, Market Weighton, on Saturday 14 March from 10-12.
They are also planning a celebratory get-together with volunteers and passengers in mid-April. While a Spring Fayre will also be held at Toll Gavel Church, Beverley, on Saturday 25 April.
Fundraising for the new vehicle has been supported by a number of groups. These include the Hull and East Riding Trust, Tesco Bags for Help, Charles and Elsie Sykes Trust, Clothworkers’ Foundation, Leconfield Community Choir, the Masons, Persimmon, Rank Foundation and Walkington Quilters.
