A Sudbury-based charity is hoping to add an electric vehicle to its lifeline transport services for vulnerable and isolated people.
As we enter the final week of collecting tokens for our Cash for Charity initiative, readers will be able to read about the exploits of the causes seeking a share of the £16,000 available and what it will mean to them.
GoStart Community Transport, founded in 2011, provides affordable and accessible transport for people that can't easily access public transport.
With a fleet of five vehicles and around 22 volunteer drivers, the charity offers a variety of services - helping people get out to medical appointments, the shops and other trips that may not be easily accessible.
GoStart also offers a community bus route between Sudbury and Bildeston two days a week.
Treasurer and trustee Peter Finch said: “We have about 500 members, which illustrates how important it is to residents.
“Most of them would say they are unable to get out and about and go to places they currently go to if GoStart wasn’t able to provide transport.
“During the Covid crisis, we provided a vaccination transport service for free.
“We’ve been transporting Ukrainian refugees to their group meetings, and we’re currently embarking on a transport scheme to get people to the warm spaces that are being set up in preparation for the winter."
GoStart Community Transport is one of 10 charities across Suffolk and Norfolk that readers can collect tokens for to win a share of £16,0000 from the charitable arm of Newsquest Media Group’s parent company, the Gannett Foundation.
The full list includes Broomhill Trust, Winston's Wheels, Footsteps Walking With You, Jetty Lane CIO, UK Norwich, Dereham Meeting Point, the 1st Attleborough (St Mary's) Scout Group and North Walsham Play vying for votes, as well as Topcats.
Mr Finch said any money would be used to contribute towards acquiring a new electric vehicle for the charity.
Tokens found in the Ipswich Star and East Anglian Daily Times can be taken to Cash for Charity collection boxes at local supermarkets, newsagents and other prominent locations in the area, or by sending to Prospect House, Rouen Road, Norwich, NR1 1RE.
The last tokens should arrive ahead of Sunday, November 20.
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