THE Ely and Soham Dial-a-Ride team has been handed a cheque for £5,000 towards the purchase of a new minibus. The large sum was donated to the team by The Ely Lions who raised the money at their annual motor show. Each year the group chooses a differ

THE Ely and Soham Dial-a-Ride team has been handed a cheque for £5,000 towards the purchase of a new minibus.

The large sum was donated to the team by The Ely Lions who raised the money at their annual motor show. Each year the group chooses a different charity and this year felt the Dial-a-Ride group was worthy of the money.

Lions president Tony Pleasance said: "Members of the Lions felt that a donation towards a new mini-bus for Dial-a-Ride was appropriate particularly as the money was raised from the Motor Show, and some of our members are of an age whereby they may soon be making use of the service themselves."

In addition to the money from the Lions, three members of the Dial-a-Ride team took part in a sponsored parachute jump earlier in the year to raise money which went towards the new minibus, which raised £4,500.

Nick Blencowe from Dial-a-Ride said: "It was essential that we purchased an additional minibus this year due to the growing demand on our service. We are extremely grateful to the Isle of Ely Lions for nominating us as the main benefactor from the Motor Show. Receiving the £5,000 donation was fantastic and enabled us to purchase our seventh minibus."

* A fund-raising lunch was held by members of the Dial-a-Ride team to raise money towards a new minibus.

The lunch was held on Saturday at Witchford Village Hall, and more than 90 members, supporters, trustees and staff attended. As well as the lunch, members held a raffle with prizes donated by a number of local businesses enabling the charity to raise more than £300.

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Pic cap: The new bus: driver Peter Clover with Lions Club president Tony Pleasance, Rowena Pleasance, Teddy McKenzie, and Davis Ellis plus Dial A Ride Officers Fred Langford and Nick Blencowe

Photo: GEOFF DURRANT