CHIPPENHAM NEWS: ELDERLY and disabled people need a new minibus to help them get to clubs and activities after a devastating crash destroyed their vehicle.

The Chippenham News launches its Help Us Buy A Bus campaign today to encourage community groups and charities to help the Chippenham District Transport for the Disabled Society raise the money it needs.

The society had two minibuses until one was destroyed in a crash last month, which left nine people in hospital.

One of the passengers, 88-year-old Francis Stickler, died in hospital last week.

His daughter, Helen Shortall, has added her support to the Chippenham News campaign to encourage groups to help the society raise £15,000 needed for a replacement bus.

The service picked Mr Stickler up from his Westbrook Close home and drove him to his Thursday Luncheon Club at Rotary Hall every week.

Mrs Shortall, of Mendip Gardens, Bath, said: "He loved it. The idea of taking elderly people out for a hot meal and getting them out of the house is very important."

The Chippenham District Transport for the Disabled Society transports about 130 elderly and disabled people from Chippenham and the surrounding area to clubs and activities each week.

Chairman Maureen Lloyd said: "We would be so grateful to anyone who sponsored us. It is a service disabled and frail people need."

She said she was thankful for Mrs Shortall's support.

"I think it is magnanimous of her. I'm very appreciative and I would like to offer my sincere condolences for the death of her father," she said.

The Chippenham District Transport for the Disabled Society, which is run by a team of trustees, has transported elderly and frail people to 16 different organisations for the past 30 years.

Mrs Lloyd said: "It's invaluable to them. For some of them it's there only point of social contact. Otherwise some would be housebound.

"Some people have difficulty getting in and out of a car but we have a lift service."

Mrs Lloyd said she was shocked to hear about the crash.

"It was most unfortunate and I was quite saddened by it. I have spent over 40 years doing voluntary work in my community and it upset me very much."

A police investigation into the cause of the crash is ongoing. It happened just seven weeks after the minibus had passed its MOT.

The driver of the minibus that crashed has taken a month's leave from work.

Sponsors have the chance to be promoted on the side of the new minibus. Anyone who wants to support the Help Us Buy A Bus campaign should contact Mrs Lloyd on (01249) 654625.