Volunteers fly through the air to help Warrington Visually Impaired People

VOLUNTEERS flew through the air on a Zip Wire Challege helping raise £4,600 for Warrington Visually Impaired People (WVIP).

A dozen Warrington Visually Impaired People (WVIP) volunteers and staff literally put their good hearts in their mouths and leapt into the Snowdon abyss to face their fears and the Zip Wire Challenge.

Howard who co-ordinated the fund-raising event said “Many people have asked how much was raised by the recent zip wire challenge. I am proud to announce that to date £4,600 has been raised by our intrepid team.

“Well done and thank you to everyone who sponsored them. All the proceeds will go towards the purchase of a new minibus.”
Maintenance and running costs for the mini bus fleet have been very high in recent years as the stock has aged. The running costs have been half their total annual expenditure.

The charity has dug into their reserves to bring the current stock up to a reliable standard as a short- term policy but in the long-term they are going to fund raise more to buy new ones that they will replace every 3 to 5 years.

The WVIP have learnt the hard way that buying second-hand buses is a very hit and miss affair.

Transport manager Damian said: “We believe that this is the most cost-effective way. We need mini buses that are reliable and low maintenance. Many of our members are elderly and frail with an average age of 80 and we must pick them and take them back home on time.

“Recently one of our volunteer drivers Paul completed a 10km run in London and raised enough money for us to brand and enhance the exterior of our fleet that creates a consistent and improved appearance. We are now very visible and look very professional. Several of our drivers have commented that motorists now know who we are and let us into the busy traffic flows of Warrington roads and elsewhere with a smile and a wave.

“We are and always have been a service for local people funded by local people and proud to display the Warrington Visually Impaired People badge on our journeys.”

For more details ont he charity visit their facebook page https://www.facebook.com/Warrington-Visually-Impaired-People-aka-Warrington-Blind-Society-576573205847318/