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In early March the keys to a £43,000 brand new Red Kite Wheelchair Accessible 14-seater mini-bus, were handed over in a ceremony in front of Bexhill Hospital. The League of Friends purchased the new minibus, complete with powered tail-lift for wheelchairs and sign-written ‘League of Friends, assisting with transport for the community’. It will remain in League ownership but will be operated by fellow local charity Bexhill Caring Community as part of its three-vehicle Dial-A-Ride fleet. Among the services provided by Dial-A-Ride is patient transport to the hospital.

Town Mayor Cllr Simon Elford was guest of honour at the ceremony. League chairman Cllr Stuart Earl is also chairman of Bexhill Caring Community. League treasurer Chris Ashford is also BCC treasurer. Both officers had declared an interest and left the room before the rest of the league’s general committee unanimously decided last year to fund the purchase of the vehicle and go into partnership with BCC.

Presenting the BCC manager with the keys to the mini-bus, Cllr Earl said:

“Everybody here will appreciate that this is a ‘first’. This is something where two charities, which serve our community here in Bexhill have worked together to provide something which will benefit so many people.”

“We are delighted from the League of Friends that we have been in a position to put on permanent loan to Bexhill Caring Community this new minibus. I think this will send out a wonderful message to our community that we are not individuals – we all in this town serve each other and care for each other and I hope that this is the start of a great relationship where we can work together.”