A GROUP of volunteers who provide a lifeline to elderly people living in rural areas were today celebrating a cash donation which will support their essential service.

By Victoria Knowles

victoria.knowles@ecng.co.uk

AGROUPof volunteers who

provide a lifeline to elderly people living in rural areas were today

celebrating a cash donation which will support their essential service.

Hadleigh Community Transport Group helps transport many isolated people has been rewarded for all its hard work with a £3,000 cheque from the Lloyds

TSB Foundation.

Sonia White, manager at Lloyds TSB in Hadleigh, said: "This minibus scheme is helping to tackle social isolation

in Hadleigh.

"Thanks to Hadleigh Community Transport people of all ages can get to the town centre without difficulty."

The money will go towards the salary of administrator, Joy Moran, which will mean she can work additional hours to expand

its services.

She said: "This donation is wonderful news. The minibus scheme has been

operating for about a year now and the

number of passengers has almost doubled.

"Without support like this we would not be able to continue our work."

The bus has a lift facility for wheelchairs and a lowered front step to make

access easier. Several groups use the bus, which is always driven by volunteers.

Mrs Moran pointed out that they were always keen for new volunteers to help out.

"We are always on the look out for

volunteers, especially those who can help with the day centre runs we have started."

Hadleigh Community Transport has been in the town for four years and runs a minibus service on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays.

The bus visits villages such as Polstead and Monks Eleigh and residents can go shopping or just visit friends.