Vale Mayor's support for mini-bus appeal
Vale of Glamorgan Mayor Cllr Clive Williams has put himself in
the driving seat of a local charity's campaign to raise money for a
new adapted mini-bus.
Penarth-based East Vale Community Transport (EVCT), one of the
charities being supported by Cllr Williams during his year of
office, has been providing a community transport service in the
area for 21 years.
It is hoped that monies raised by Cllr Williams at a number of
special events will provide the launch pad for EVCT to raise enough
money to fund a replacement for one of their two 12-seater vehicles
that can accommodate wheelchairs.
Cllr Williams, who met charity trustees and service users at the
local Seacot Hotel to offer his support, said: “The group provides
a vital community transport service throughout the east Vale -
Penarth, Llandough, Dinas Powys and Sully - and the majority
of clients are the disabled and elderly who visit day centres, go
shopping and to church and make other local trips.”
Cllr Williams, who extended his grateful thanks to Bryan Fry, of
the Seacot, for his hospitality and coffee and cakes, added: "I
feel it is important to give my wholehearted support to this group
who rely on the goodwill and generosity of voluntary helpers and
the public for their fundraising.
"By lending my support this year, I hope to give them a great
start to their fundraising efforts for a new minibus."
Anyone in the east Vale can use the service and current members
include sheltered housing complexes, residential homes, schools,
youth groups, sports groups, local churches and individuals.
EVCT is always looking for volunteer drivers, aged 25 to 70 with
a clean licence.
EVCT chair Margaret Read said: "Volunteers are not expected to
drive every day of the week or even every week. It can be fun and
rewarding, especially when it is realised that many of the
passengers could not go out if it wasn't for our bus. And it's good
to give something back to the community."
Anyone requiring further information on becoming a volunteer can
contact EVCT at West House, Stanwell Road, Penarth CF64 2YG;
telephone 029 2070 5138 or email eastvale.ct06@virgin.net. The
office is open Monday to Friday from 9.30am to 12 noon.
For further information and donations, please contact the
Mayor's Office on (01446) 709301.
• The Mayor has also chosen two other charities to support
during his year of office - Barry Mencap and Headway in
Cardiff.
Captions:
Top: Co founders of East Vale Community
Transport Margaret Read (chair) and Jean Roberts with Vale of
Glamorgan Mayor Cllr Clive Williams.
Above right: East Vale Community Transport
users Jill and Jim Ashcroft, from Penarth, with driver Clive
Carreyett and trustees (in vehicle), from left: Don Read, Jean
Roberts and Coin Wainwright.