A community group is now able to offer enhanced transport services to wheelchair users after being handed a new vehicle.

Beccles and Bungay Area Community Transport (BACT), will have full use of the new wheelchair accessible vehicle, which is owned by Suffolk County Council.

Debbie Blowers, BACT manager said: “We are very grateful to the county council for allowing us to manage this vehicle, which means we now have three of these kinds of vehicles. There is a very high demand for these vehicles from people who are confined to wheelchairs and have no access to other forms of transport.

“We use these vehicles for a range of journeys including taking people to day centres, to medical appointments or to enjoy social activities. Our services allow our passengers to avoid isolation and to get out and about to enjoy life.”

Last year, BACT volunteer drivers carried in excess of 1800 passengers over 20,000 miles in their wheelchair accessible vehicles.

However, more volunteer drivers are needed to help meet ever increasing demands.

Mrs Blowers: “Demands for our service continue to grow and we will only be able to meet those demands if we get more support from within the community. Our volunteers say how rewarding they find the driving and how lovely it is to get out and meet people as well as feeling that they are putting something back into the community. Training is given, which only takes a day and expenses are provided to get to the vehicles.”

Anyone interested in becoming a volunteer driver or who just wants more information about BACT should contact Debbie Blowers on 01986 896896 or email bact@btconnect.com

Are you raising money for your community? Email louisa.lay@archant.co.uk