Queens Award for minibus charity

The Queens Award for Voluntary Services is presented to the Community Minibus Association (West Sussex). Left to right: Sir Brian Barttelot, (President) , Simon Knight (Deputy Lord Lieutenant, West Sussex), Alistair Sheppard (Chairman), Susan Pyper (Lord Lieutenant , West Sussex), Rodger Hunt (Honorary Vice President)

Members of the Community Minibus Association were presented with the national honour by Lord-Lieutenant Susan Pyper on behalf of the Queen on October 12.

The charity, set up in 1976, is run by a team of more than 100 volunteers and today operates 13 minibuses from eight centres in rural West Sussex.

The unique honour recognises the outstanding contributions made to communities by groups of volunteers and has an equivalent status for voluntary groups as the MBE has for individuals.

The Queens Award for Voluntary Services is presented to the Community Minibus Association (West Sussex). Left to right: Alistair Sheppard, Sir Brian Barttelot, Rodger Hunt

Volunteers at the charity work as drivers, passenger escorts, booking staff, fleet managers, divisional organisers and numerous other roles to facilite the service.

Honorary vice president, Rodger Hunt, received the commemorative crystal on behalf of the charity, following the official reading of the citation signed by HRH Queen Elizabeth.

Attendance at the presentation also included charity president Sir Brian Barttelot OBE, chairman Alistair Sheppard OBE, district and parish council members, together with more than 100 volunteers from the charity and some of the long time passengers who supported the proposal for the award.

Registered passengers are able to join regular trips to shopping centres, lunch clubs, seaside locations, social events and special excursions, with associate membership available for groups.

Centres are located in Ashington, Billingshurst, Five Villages (south of A27), Petworth, Pulborough, Storrington, Steyning and Wisborough Green.

Chairman of West Sussex minibus, Alistair Sheppard OBE said: “We are extremely proud and honoured to receive this award, which coincides with our 40th anniversary this year.

“Our tremendous group of unpaid volunteers help to maintain essential support to local communities across rural West Sussex. “Passengers enjoy our friendly service and look forward to meeting both new friends and old during their trips.

“This award is a tribute to all the dedicated work by our volunteers, past and present.”

Pictured are members of the Community Minibus Associatiion at the presentation in Coldwaltham, hosted by the Bowerman Charitable Trust.

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