Newport care centre buys new £40,000 bus after big donation
A care centre in Newport has splashed out more than £40,000 on a new minibus to ferry elderly people to its building every day.
Newport Cottage Care Centre picks up pensioners from the town and surrounding villagers to use its facilities during the week.
The centre has bought a new £42,000 Mercedes mini bus, thanks to a huge donation by the League of Friends.
The League of Friends has a charity shop in the town centre and also receives large donations.
Margaret Woodcock, the chairman of the Friends, said: "We'd like to thank everyone who contributed, particularly those who use the charity shop.
"Without their support we couldn't help to run the care centre and the X-ray facilities.
"We'd also like to thank the manager and staff at the centre for making it such a welcoming place."
Phil Arrowsmith, chairman of the care centre, said a new bus was badly needed.
He said: "The minibus is absolutely essential to carry elderly clients to and from the care centre.
"The previous bus was becoming unreliable so the decision was made to buy a new one.
"Because the care centre is a charity which is completely reliant on fundraising to pay its way, the cost of such an item would have meant fundraising on a major scale.
"We are therefore indebted to the League of Friends who have paid for the bus from their resources.
"They are a valuable support at such times and we're extremely grateful."
The bus will also be used to take centre users on day trips.
The previous bus was about eight years old.
The centre offers a full range of day care services for the elderly and disabled in the community, including specialist dementia care.
There are also assisted bathing facilities and a hair salon which operates twice a week.
Newport Cottage Care Centre recently celebrated its 20th anniversary.
It was formed following the closure of the town's Cottage Hospital.
