LOCAL community group, Mid Devon Mobility, is celebrating after being awarded £254,008 in National Lottery funding to support its work with elderly and disabled people, especially those living in rurally isolated areas.

The group, based in the Multi-Storey Car Park (Level 6) in Tiverton and at 100 High Street, Crediton, will use the money to purchase a new accessible vehicle, employ new staff to assist with the project, reach additional rural areas with increased routes, be able to offer additional day trips, offer Community Transport Awareness Days in the rural communities and generally improve access and social opportunities for the elderly and disabled people of Mid Devon.

Mid Devon Mobility has been running for nearly 35 years, it has grown substantially over those years; from a one service, small charity back in 1989 to now providing over 18 services.

All of their services are aimed at: “Increasing the independence, mobility and peace of mind of older, disabled and isolated people in our communities.”

The new funding from The National Lottery Community Fund, which distributes money raised by National Lottery players for good causes and is the largest community funder in the UK, will see additional transportation options which will help to decrease the number of isolated, lonely, older, disabled people living in rural Devon.

At the same time, the group will be able to increase weekend transport options and service activity for vulnerable, and/or rurally isolated people, helping to reduce the loneliness at the weekend.

Faye Ashton, CEO of Mid Devon Mobility, says: “We’re delighted that The National Lottery Community Fund has recognised our work in this way.

“Now, thanks to National Lottery players we will be able to build on our already established transport/social services, which will be aimed at reaching additional beneficiaries within our rural community.

“This is important because it will end social loneliness for many of our older and disabled community by helping them to regain their confidence to venture out on social outings, make new friends and feel community spirit.”

Jean, a Member of Mid Devon Mobility says: “I think it’s wonderful Mid Devon Mobility have received this funding from The National Lottery Community Fund, as it means they will be able to help more people, like they have helped me.

“I use the bus regularly, it’s a social occasion, I get a chance to natter, shop, exchange recipes, laugh and put the world to rights. I look forward to my trips out and most of all enjoy the company and the caring drivers who are always there to help.

“Without their support I would be left isolated as there are now no public bus routes to my village.  I cannot thank them enough for all they do for me.”

The National Lottery Community Fund recently launched its new strategy, “It starts with community”, which will underpin its efforts to distribute at least £4 billion of National Lottery funding by 2030.

As part of this, the funder has four key missions, which are to support communities to come together, be environmentally sustainable, help children and young people thrive and enable people to live healthier lives.

National Lottery players raise more than £30 million a week for good causes across the UK.

Thanks to them, last year The National Lottery Community Fund was able to distribute over half a billion pounds (£615.4 million) of life-changing funding to communities.

To find out more visit: www.TNLCommunityFund.org.uk .