Supporters of the Bury St Edmunds Rickshaw have been given a shot in the arm as it is going to be extended into the weekends and evenings.
From Saturday it will be offering rides round the World War 1 Trail especially for people who find it difficult to visit the exhibits on foot.
Since it was launched in June, the rickshaw has proved popular - clocking up nearly 900 miles and 150 trips to care homes, day centres, schools, fetes and private houses.
Trustees of the BSE Rickshaw charity say the rickshaw is currently busy during week days and thanks to its 30 trained volunteer riders and “Chatty Chums”, who sit with passengers that do not have a carer or relative to accompany them on rides, now has capacity for rides in the early evening and weekends.
Trustee Libby Ranzetta said: “We like to support local events, such as Hidden Gardens earlier this summer, and we will be at Girls’ Night Out and the Suffolk Historic Churches Trust Ride and Stride on the September 8.
“The World War One Trail is another example where we can help people with limited mobility take part and it fits perfectly with our ethos of getting people out and about, enjoying what Bury has to offer.
“Most of the exhibits can be viewed from the rickshaw and it’s also a great way to see the town”.
And Mark Cordell, chief executive of Our Bury St Edmunds, which, with the My WISH Charity is behind the trail, said: “The World War public art trail has been a huge success and I want as many people as possible to take part in it so this great idea for the Bury Rickshaw riders to take their passengers around the trail has my total support.”
The trial has been launched as a tourist attraction and to commemorate the centenary of the ending of the 1914-18 conflict but to also raise money for the My WiSH Charity’s Every Heart Matters appeal which is aiming to raise £500,000 to help create a new cardiac centre at the West Suffolk Hospital.
Meanwhile, funding to purchase the rickshaw and for running costs has come from six town and borough councillors’ locality budgets including David Nettleton, Trevor Beckwith, Joanna Rayner,
John Augustine, Sarah Stamp and Julia Wakelam.
To request a free ride, call 01284 339449, or go online at www.bserickshaw.org.uk
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