New minibus for Sussex charity

From left, JP, Paul, Alex and James, of the Bevern View in Barcombe, with the new minibus

The Bevern Trust, which runs the Bevern View home in Barcombe, received its new adapted vehicle on March 30.

It cost just under £30,000 – £9,950 of which was from The Big Lottery Fund, £4,000 from the Percy Bilton Charity and £2,000 from voluntary group Bevern Friends. Money was also donated by bonfire societies in the Lewes district, community groups and individual donors.

Matthew Cornish, fundraising and development manager for The Bevern Trust, said: “The replacement minibus has come just at the right time as we reach spring and the weather improves.

“We have had some fantastic support from the community over the last 18 months to get the funding we needed to buy the minibus and especially from The Big Lottery Fund and The Percy Bilton Foundation.”

The new adapted vehicle can accommodate four residents in large powered wheelchairs and four carers, including a driver. It replaces the charity’s previous bus which could only accommodate three wheelchairs and three carers and which the charity now hopes to sell.

“It means so much to our residents and their families to have a modern vehicle that they can rely on,” added Mr Cornish.

“We are now looking for volunteer drivers who could help once or twice a week and drive our residents to different activities, so please get in touch if you can help.”

The Bevern View provides 24-hour care to nine profoundly disabled residents and has two beds for respite care for a further 11 people with complex needs.

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