Melksham charity launches £50,000 appeal to replace ageing bus

A transport charity which has been supporting residents for 30 years has launched a £50,000 appeal to replace one of its ageing buses.

Melksham Area Community Transport helps elderly residents get to the shops, children travel to school and community groups attend activities, providing accessible transport for those who struggle to use conventional public transport.

The charity launched the fundraiser earlier this month after one of its buses, which is 20 years old, reached the end of its working life.

With a fleet of six buses, the charity runs shopper buses taking residents to Devizes, Trowbridge and Chippenham on certain days, provides transport for schools, care homes, social clubs and community organisations, and operates daily school buses.

Chair David Hogg said, “The services we provide fill the gaps that aren’t provided by commercial services. We pick up elderly residents from outside their home and take them shopping once a week. It might be the only social interaction they get. We also take children to swimming lessons and we take 70-odd secondary school students from outlying villages like Broughton Gifford and Holt to a secondary school in Corsham.

“We cover the whole cross section of society.”

Following support from the community, the charity has so far received a £10,000 donation from Friends of Melksham Hospital and raised nearly £100 through its fundraising page.

David said, “We would like to thank the Friends of Melksham Hospital for their ongoing support, it is just super.”

The 20-year-old bus needing replacement was originally purchased following a grant from a landfill site. David said that with fewer grants now available, the charity had to “take the initiative”.

“We are hoping that people who see our fundraiser might remember us – whether they are a parent whose life has been made easier because their children are taken to school, or someone’s granny has been taken shopping.

“Thank you to everyone who helps us, whether that is by using our services, or helping us financially.”

The charity was founded by a group of people in Melksham who realised many older residents were unable to get out due to a lack of available public transport.

David also said Melksham Music and Drama is planning to host a fundraiser for the charity, with details to be shared soon.

To contribute to the fundraiser, visit https://shorturl.at/9nRaP

For those who do not have IT access but want to donate to the campaign, the Tourist Information Centre is taking donations.