THE district's transport service for the elderly and disabled is celebrating a cash injection thanks to the Shuttle/Times and News.

Wyre Forest Dial-a-Ride, which carries passengers ranging from just nine years old to 96, has received £5,000 from the Gannett Foundation.

Gannett is the American owner of the Newsquest Media Group which publishes the Shuttle/Times and News and the foundation gives hundreds of thousands of pounds to UK good causes every year.

Each year newspapers can apply for grants and it is the first time the Shuttle/Times and News has been successful.

Editor, Clive Joyce, said: "Dial-a-Ride is a vital service for those who face difficulties in our community and we are delighted to be able to help.

"We applaud the efforts of the small band of volunteers who keep this service operating in difficult financial circumstances.

"We know that their work is much appreciated by those elderly and disabled passengers who find the door-to-door transport a lifeline."

The service operates mainly in Kidderminster, Bewdley and Stourport.

The Gannett grant will go towards a new minibus with a special tail-lift which will enable a service to be operated for those living in outlying areas who find themselves isolated due to disability or the withdrawal of regular bus services.

Dial-a-Ride co-ordinator, Bob Hartell, said: "The need for our transport gets greater and greater every year and we carry people of all ages.

"They use us to go to doctor and hospital appointments, shopping, meet friends and relatives or to attend social groups. We help people to maintain some independent living and it means many do not suffer from isolation."

He added: "The Gannett grant has given us a real fillip."

Dial-a-Ride was set up in Wyre Forest in 1986.

The adapted fleet of four minibuses make about 200 journeys a week throughout the area and most drivers are volunteers.

The number of people using the service has risen to more than 370.

The charity relies on donations to keep it running and received £1,000 from Wyre Forest District Council earlier this year.

It is hoped the Gannett grant and further funding from Wyre Forest Bus Quality Parnership will enable Dial-a-Ride to buy its new bus in 2005.

More information on the Dial-a-Ride service can be obtained by calling 01562 755084.

Foundation Factfile

THE Gannett Foundation is the charitable arm of Gannett Inc.

The American firm is owner of the Newsquest Media Group, one of the largest publishers of newspapers in the UK.

The Shuttle/Times and News is part of Newsquest's portfolio of more than 300 newspapers which are all eligible to apply for grants each year.

This month the foundation awarded 69 grants to UK organisations and the donations totalled £239,000.

The foundation provides funding to support local organisations in the area where Newsquest newspapers operate.

It supports projects which take a creative approach to fundamental issues such as education and neighbourhood improvements, economic development, youth development, community problem-solving, assistance to disadvantaged people, environmental conservation and cultural enrichment.

Are you eligible?

Grants are not given to:

Individuals.

Organisations which are not registered

charities.

Uniformed organisations.

National or regional organisations unless the project addresses a specific local community need.

Promotion of religious causes.

Endowment funds.

General appeals or multi-year campaigns.

Medical or research organisations.

Animal charities.

How to apply

Grants are for amounts between £1,000 and £5,000 but larger grants may be made for exceptional projects.

Applications must be submitted on the approved application form and grants are made twice a year.

The next grant-making round will be March 2005.

Application forms can be obtained by sending an A4 SAE envelope to Shuttle/Times and News editor, Clive Joyce, 6 Towers Buildings, Blackwell Street, Kidderminster DY 10 2DY.

Closing date for applications to be submitted is January 31.