AGE Concern Verwood has finally taken delivery of its “absolutely glorious” new 16-seat minibus after a whole decade’s fundraising.

The old bus was more than 20 years old, and had an engine problem that would have cost £2,000 to fix.

But now Age Concern, the Stroke Club, the Friendship Club and a host of other organisations who use the charity’s bus can ferry housebound elderly people about with pride.

The gleaming new Citroen long wheelbase minibus was given to the chairman of Age Concern, Cllr Mike Daymond, and former chairman, Roy Slade, along with the mayor, Cllr Jean Hazel. The Rev Andrew Sinclair blessed the bus.

For Roy Slade, this has been the culmination of ten years’ work.

He said: “It is absolutely glorious.

“We have been using the old bus on Mondays and Wednesdays to take people to our centre, but now we’ll be able to go on jaunts like we used to – take them for tea and cake and a look round the shops, for instance.

“The old bus was paid for by Arthritis Care, Verwood Day Centre, which is now Age Concern, the Handicapped Society and the Stroke Club, but this one was exclusively paid for by Age Concern, and at £34,500 that’s why it took so long to fundraise for it.”

The campaign was helped along by grants from the district, town and county councils and Grassroots and with small bequests from former clients.

Service users and helpers were keen to try out the bus and Joy Frost was thrilled when it was found that even she would be able to access the new bus in her extra-wide wheelchair.

l Age Concern Verwood provides activities, refreshments and lunches on Mondays and Wednesdays at the Verwood Band hall in Moorlands Road.

If you know of anyone who is less able or housebound who would benefit from this service, contact administrator Val Townsend on 01202 821954.