£100k grant for Lincoln DialaRide will enhance lifeline service

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The DialaRide service provides transport for people with mobility issues.

The Lincoln DialaRide community transport charity has been awarded a £100,000 grant to invest in new vehicles and enhance its service.

The grant, gifted by the Big Lottery will mean the 30-year-old Lincoln branch can purchase three new, specially adapted minibuses.

Team members have already placed the order for a trio of Peugeot vehicles. It’s hoped they will join the fleet in July 2018.

For users, many of whom are elderly or disabled, the accessible and affordable transport is an invaluable form of independence.

Rik Gifford, General Manager of Lincoln Area DialaRide said: “We’re delighted that the Big Lottery has awarded us a grant which will help us provide an improved transport service for those who are unable to use regular public transport.

“If they have mobility issues either through age or for health reasons they can register to use the service.

“Our aim is to keep our clients independent and mobile. We will take requests for bookings to travel anywhere in mainland UK, as long as there are volunteer drivers available”

Lincoln DialaRide started with a group of individuals in 1985, using their own cars.

In 1987 the service became a constituted group as an Industrial & Provident Society, and the City of Lincoln Council loaned out some old wheelchair accessible, London style cabs.

In the mid-nineties, the Lincolnshire County Council helped with the purchase of the not-for-profit organisation’s first brand new, specially adapted minibus.