An East Devon charity dedicated to beating rural isolation through affordable transport, specialised disability equipment and a befriending service, has launched a final push to raise the funds it needs to buy an all-electric vehicle.
Honiton-based TRIP needs the new wheelchair-friendly vehicle to replace one that was donated 17 years ago by town carers’ champion Win Cameron.
The much-loved Renault Kangoo has provided loyal service, making around 5,000 trips every year. It is part of TRIP’s six-vehicle fleet which together make around 40,000 trips a year.
TRIP deputy manager Sharon Thorne said: “TRIP has spent many years caring for our local communities, helping to reduce loneliness and isolation with services such as transport and befriending.
“We recognise that for our community to be healthy, our environment also needs to be healthy. That is why TRIP is investing in a new 100 per cent electric vehicle. This new wheelchair accessible vehicle will replace one of our older vehicles, providing not only a better experience for our passengers but also zero emissions.”
Sharon explained: “The vehicle that Win Cameron so generously donated was much loved and hugely valued by everyone at TRIP, especially by our service users.”
The new vehicle will cost £35,000. The charity raised £17,500 before lockdown brought an end to its fundraising plans – so now it has launched a crowdfunding campaign to generate the further £20,000 it needs. Around £1,500 has already been pledged online.
Sharon added: “If we can reach the target we will be the first community transport group in the South West to go electric. We want to make ourselves future-proof. We have been going for nearly 25 years. We want to be here for the next 25 years too.”
TRIP has maintained many of its services despite the pandemic, including a car to get people to urgent medical appointments. The ring-and-ride service has continued to get people to the shops for essential goods and TRIP’s befriending service has continued over the phone.
The charity, which has around 60 volunteers, has co-ordinated more than 2,000 shopping requests for the housebound and organised more than 200 trips to vaccination centres in Honiton, Exeter, Exmouth and Taunton.
To support the appeal you can visit:
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