Teignbridge Council chairman John Petherick writes:

"East Teignbridge Community Transport (ETCT), based at Barton Hill Car Park in Dawlish, is well known as Dawlish Community Transport.

Their primary objectives will always be to provide services for vulnerable and isolated people in the East Teignbridge community.

ETCT provides specialist and supportive transportation as there is not enough availability of adequate and appropriate public passenger services to meet the needs of the community.

The charity provides transportation to individuals, be it to medical appointments, wellbeing, or social activities and for affiliated groups, schools and care homes.

This service is a very person centred, cost effective, door to door service for children as young as four, to the more mature, frail, disabled and isolated people, who rely on ETCT to have an improved quality of life and independence, which in turn will have a positive effect on their mental wellbeing.

Several of their vehicles are now coming to the end of their working life and they desperately need to be replaced.

As chairman of Teignbridge my wife and I hope to raise some funds towards at least one new vehicle – specifically an adapted bespoke minibus, costing over £65,000.

It is a fully equipped wheelchair accessible vehicle, enabling any person to travel anywhere.

Travelling by minibus is a great way to meet new people, make friends and see other towns and villages, whilst getting those daily tasks done, which could include, banking, shopping, and everyday essential chores.

The charity help people to manage their everyday lives and keep their independence, with the bonus of being provided with door to door service.

Without these vehicles we simply cannot provide the services, which supports over 1,200 individual people in the East Teignbridge area.

In addition, over the last financial year they provided 401 group bookings, which would not be possible without this essential vehicle.

I am asking if you would consider donating, no matter how small, to help them to reach their target for the minibus to enable them to continue to provide these amazing services.

The details of where to send your donation are: Sort Code: 30-84-67 Account Number 55853468 Ref: XJ89520004, or send cheque made payable to Chairman’s Charity."