Funding cuts to the charity has left it with the six-figure shortfall, which needs to be plugged so it can carry on running its Ring and Ride service, voluntary car and wheelchair transport schemes.

A Honiton-based community transport charity has set itself a fundraising target of £22,000 for 2018 to support some existing services and to set up new projects.

Neil Hurlock, manager of TRIP in New Street, said that some services it currently provides are ‘feeling the pinch’ of having grants and other funding reduced.

In order to keep them going TRIP needs to look to other sources as well as explore new ideas that will allow the residents of the area better access to transport for a wide range of activities.

To make it happen, TRIP is planning to expand its existing fundraising actions.

Mr Hurlock said: “TRIP has always run as economically as possible, but we have made further cuts to our outlays by relocating the disability sales area back into the main office and shop at 29-31 New Street.

“We have also reduced the number of vehicles in our fleet by disposing of the older, more expensive to run, vehicles while making sure we get best value from what we spend and this has reduced our outgoings.

“Now, to enable us to better serve our passengers and clients, we are looking to trial a couple of new ideas and we need the funds to make this happen as well as to help fund existing services.”

Mr Hurlock also revealed that he has hopes of reviving TRIP’s former ‘friends’ fundraising group.

He added: “Ideally we would like to recruit six or more people who could work together to coordinate local fundraising events and activities and help us reach this years target.

“In the past we did have a highly successful group of people doing this but as time passed they have had to step down due to age or other commitments so it would be fantastic if we could get this group running once again, as previously it injected several thousand pounds into TRIP’s funds.

“TRIP has always enjoyed good support from the community and we hope that this will continue and blossom in the future.

“We also need volunteers in our office to help meet and greet people, take transport bookings and answer questions, plus volunteers of a practical nature to help deal with disability aids queries and solve minor maintenance issues.”

Anyone who can help can call Neil on 01404 46529.