The passion and enthusiasm of the staff and volunteers for being part of a vital front-line community service never fails to move me.
They are aware how important each journey is. It can be the difference between social inclusion - or being lonely and isolated for a week.
Please 'Get On Board' by making a donation to CTLA Community Transport this April and help me get on the April fundraisers Leaderboard for a potential cash prize for CTLA.
The number of registered users and community groups with CTLA Community Transport increases weekly and the demand for the services of the ONLY community transport charity of its kind serving the Lewes District and the surrounding villages will continue to increase with an ageing population and restrictive cost of owning personal vehicles or accessing transport.
Public transport does not meet the needs of those unable to reach the public transport stops and frequency is often an issue in rural areas. Community Transport is ALWAYS a door to door service with trained and sympathetic drivers and passenger assistants on hand to support users on and off the accessible vehicles.
CTLA undertake over 70,000 passenger journeys per year and are the only remaining community transport operator in the District offering dial-a-ride services, a travel club, community group hire and rural and weekend services. Without support, this vital charity will be pushed to do more, with less resources - and eventually come under threat.
Although the charity can bid for local government contracts to help raise money and appeal for grants and support, it receives no statutory funding and has to be resilient and sustainable in difficult times - the support of the community and grant makers is vital in our quest to continue to support as many vulnerable and isolated people as possible.
