A NEW 17 seater mini bus has been purchased by Age Concern Crediton & District, after receiving an award from one of the UK’s largest charitable funders, The Garfield Weston Foundation.

Age Concern applied for a £44,000 award after reading about the charity in the "Crediton Courier.”

The award has allowed the charity, which supports the older people of Crediton and the surrounding areas, to purchase a much-needed mini bus.

The Garfield Weston Foundation says small community charities are rising to the challenge of facing unprecedented demand for their services by being proactive and innovative.

The Foundation’s director, Philippa Charles, explained: “What really impressed our Trustees is the amount of volunteering and community involvement that’s going on across the UK.

"We heard about so many amazing projects involving local people who are helping their communities thrive - regardless of cuts, Brexit debates and other challenges.

"The response from charities to this new fund clearly demonstrates the voluntary sector is proactive and energetic; far from the complacency it is sometimes accused of.

"Yet we can also see the level of need that exists in our local communities and how much the services charities provide are so desperately needed.

"The impact of these grants will be significant, with benefits for many people lasting years.”

Bev Whaley, Chief Executive of Age Concern Crediton explained: "The charity promotes a positive attitude towards ageing and encourages older people to live their lives with dignity and independence in their own homes for as long as possible.

"We are a small independent and local charity based in Deep Lane that provides activities, which stimulate mental, social and physical welfare for guests.

"The centre also provides guests with transport and hot meals.

"The problem which we were faced with was that of a diminishing supply of voluntary drivers and vehicles to pick up our guests from their homes.

"A logical solution to the problem is to have a minibus with wheelchair access, of our own, which we can also use as a community resource.

"Thanks to Western Anniversary Fund grant we have been able to purchase our own mini bus.

“We have two new drivers, Jenny Newbery and Julian Lowden. John Musty will cover as a stand-in driver when required and will be taking the mini bus to the Farmers’ Market on June 1 and to the Picnic in the Park on June 2, which will kick-off CredFest 2019.