A Donegal community has expressed its delight after receiving funding for a much-needed mobility bus.
A joint application between Milford & District Resource Centre, Mevagh Family Resource Centre and the Swilly-Mulroy Community Health Forum has secured funding for the bus for the wider area was successful.
Just over €62,000 was awarded to the three organisations to purchase a minibus which will be specifically tailored for those with mobility needs, including wheelchair users.
The money will come from the CLÁR Measure 2 programme from the Department of Rural and Community Development.
Declan Meehan, manager of Milford & District Resource Centre, has been campaigning on the lack of suitable transport for those with additional mobility needs in the locality for the past number of years, working with groups such as the Swilly-Mulroy MS Support Group to highlight the issues faced by their members.
“We are delighted to have secured this funding which will make a real impact on the lives of those who are currently socially isolated as a result of their disability and/or mobility issues in the wider Milford, Fanad and Rosguill areas” Meehan said.
“This application saw huge support from health practitioners, various community organisations, advocacy groups and politicians who all saw the real need for this investment in our community. This announcement of funding is fantastic news for our community. I would like to thank everyone who provided letters of support for the application, and for those who shared their stories which highlighted the need for this service in our area.”
It is hoped that the bus will be in operation later this year or early 2023. It will allow those who would otherwise not have the ability to attend health appointments, support groups and social activities to do just that.
Lesley Newberry is the social prescriber for the Milford-Fanad-Rosuill primary care team area and her work is predominantly with those who find themselves socially isolated.
“This funding is an absolute God-send. I am so delighted to hear of this news today as it will make a huge impact on our clients, enabling people to do basic, necessary things, like attend appointments and avail of support in the community” she said.
“Transport has long been a huge issue for those of us working in the community, and the lack of suitable transport for those with mobility issues has meant people often go weeks on end without leaving their homes. This bus will transform people’s lives in our community, and that is the most important thing.”
