A NEW community minibus which has already supported more than 200 people and benefited numerous organisations has been unveiled during a special ceremony.

On Thursday 24 November, Thurrock Council's Cabinet Member for Culture and Communities, Cllr Qaisar Abbas, was joined by Cllr Colin Churchman, ward councillor for Aveley and Uplands, the Aveley Village Community Foundation's chair Alan Field, volunteers Grahame Ward and Lisa Clancy and a Community Liaison Officer from the council to officially unveil the new Aveley Village Community Foundation Community Minibus.

The Aveley Village Community Foundation was awarded a Community Environmental Development Fund grant in 2021 towards a new minibus as the previous bus was no longer suitable. The new minibus is wheelchair accessible, has increased capacity of 14 seats and is Ultra Low Emission Zone compliant to enable the foundation to help more organisations and individuals across Thurrock. 

It has already benefited more than 12 organisations including Stanford-le-Hope Explorers, scouts groups and Aveley Christian Centre volunteers who collect food from locations across Thurrock each day and deliver them to food banks in the borough. 

Cllr Abbas said: "I was delighted to officially unveil the new Aveley Village Community Foundation Community Minibus. The foundation was a great support to many during the COVID-19 pandemic as it collected and delivered shopping and medication for vulnerable people and delivered food and meals to the staff at Basildon Hospital.

"Its good work continues and although the new minibus has only been in use for a few months, it has already transferred more than five tonnes of food to food banks and community groups across Thurrock, supporting more than 200 people. The minibus has also taken residents to hospital appointments and transported veterans to military funerals.

"Thank you to the Aveley Village Community Foundation and their volunteers for all the inspiring work they do within their community."

Any organisations or individuals who would like to find out more about using the bus can contact [email protected]