17th October 2012

BRIDPORT: Double blow for charity

A VICTIM of a town-centre mugging was robbed of funds for a local charity it has been revealed.

The 65-year-old man was carrying cash belonging to Axe Valley and West Dorset Ring and Ride – which provides a regular bus service into Bridport for elderly and disabled people – when he was attacked on South Street on September 26th.

The robbery represents a double blow for the charity which saw its funding slashed by two-thirds at the last round of grant awards handed out by Bridport Town Council on October 10th.

The stolen £75 and £500 funding cut have had a “dire effect” on the organisation, according to Ring & Ride chairman Sandra Ward.

She said: “We rely so heavily on Bridport Town Council funding. It has had a dire effect on our finances.”

She continued: “To go from £750 to £250 is really hard for us. We appreciate we live in lean times but it is a big cut. What the council have done is really distressing.”

Mrs Ward went on to describe the effect the mugging has had on the organisation.

She said: “People reacted with horror at how this money was taken.

“We were very upset. £75 doesn’t sound a lot but we fundraise every day of our lives to keep the service going. This is stealing from the vulnerable.”

The Ring & Ride bus covers a wide area of East Devon and West Dorset providing a “lifeline” for isolated and vulnerable people. It has a capacity of 15 passengers but this can quickly drop when wheelchairs become involved.

Mrs Ward said: “The people who use us cannot use another bus. They rely on us totally to get out to see friends and go shopping. We are their lifeline.”

She continued: “I am just gob-smacked at how people manage in isolated houses. We are the only way they get out to see anyone else. We now have to desperately raise the money elsewhere. We welcome any donation, no matter how small. Every penny raised helps to keep us going.”

In a statement, Bridport Town Council said: “The town council looked closely at all the grant applications received this year.

“It was pleased to be able to provide funding for a large number of smaller bodies, in addition to the four main organisations that it funds – the Arts Centre, Museum, Leisure Centre and Citizens Advice Bureau.

“Sadly, it is not always possible to provide all the funding requested by applicants and decisions are taken having regard to the council’s grants criteria and the available budget.”

BRIDPORT: Double blow for charity

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